Boxing News 2014: Roach Says Pacquiao & Cotto Are Better Fighters Than Mayweather

Trainer Freddie Roach (L) and boxer Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines pose in the lobby of the Venetian Las Vegas Resort in Nevada August 30, 2014. Pacquiao and his opponent Chris Algieri of the U.S. are on an international tour promoting their WBO welterweight title match which will take place November 22 at the Venetian's Cotai Arena in Macau. REUTERS

In an apparent bid to bait Floyd Mayweather into admitting plans to fight Manny Pacquiao, coach Freddie Roach is provoking Money May by saying that his wards, Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, are now better fighters than the unbeaten American boxer.

The provocation is seen by Boxingnews24.com as Roach's way of getting back at Mayweather who belied the statement of Pacquiao that there are ongoing talks between the two camps for the dream match worth $227 million to take place before the two champions, now in their mid and late 30s, retire from the sport.

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"I think Mayweather's a little shot right now. I see that's why he won't fight Pacquiao ... He [Mayweather] says he wants to please the audience for him not moving so well anymore," Fighthub.com quoted Roach.

He added, "Your legs are gone. I have two guys [Cotto and Pacquiao] with better talent than he [Mayweather] does." Roach said that because of Money May's deal with Showtime, the boxer gets to pick his opponents - a practice that the coach opposes. "Promoters shouldn't let that happen," Roach stressed.

While Mayweather accused Top Rank Promotions head Bob Arum of spreading the news that talks are ongoing for the dream match to take place in 2015 to sell tickets, he didn't close the door to facing Pacquiao in the ring.

"I can't say what can happen in the future ... But as of right now, all the stories that y'all been hearing is totally false," Mlive.com quoted Mayweather who had arrived at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, for his Saturday rematch with Argentinean boxer Marcos Maidana.