Manny Pacquiao on tour with Brandon Rios earlier this year ahead of their Nov. 23 showdown (Photo: Chris Farina – Top Rank)
By Chris Robinson
Following a recent health scare that saw him admitted to a hospital in Las Vegas last month, trainer Jeff Mayweather is back in the mix, as the former IBO junior lightweight champion was spotted inside of the Mayweather Boxing Club this past week.
Asked how it feels to reconnect with his stable of fighters, Mayweather seemed to appreciate simply being able to get back into his daily routine.
“It feels good to be back,” Mayweather confirmed. “I got a chance to train a few of my fighters. That was good. I didn’t really feel weak or anything. I’m looking forward to just getting back to normal. It’s a slow process but I’m happy to be back working.”
Mayweather noted that he was actually present inside of the Thomas & Mack Center this past Saturday night for the welterweight title clash between WBO champion Timothy Bradley and Mexico City’s Juan Manuel Marquez.
In a high-level chess match, Bradley adapted to Marquez, using his speed and smarts as he captured a split-decision victory.
It is the biggest win of Bradley’s career and Mayweather broke down the match.
“I thought the fight was very close, could have went either way,” said Mayweather. “Tim Bradley, he made some good adjustments. Very good head movement and he actually fought smart; he boxed a little bit, brawled a little bit. He did what he had to do to win.”
The Marquez fight was Bradley’s second split-decision nod in his past three fights, as he also edged Manny Pacquiao inside of the MGM Grand in June of last year. That decision, however, came with much controversy and backlash from selects members of the media and the general public who felt that Bradley didn’t deserve the verdict.
A rematch with Pacquiao is an option for Bradley and in Mayweather’s opinion, the most ideal one.
“Of course, the Pacquiao situation needs to be put to rest,” Mayweather explained. “That’s probably the fight, if Pacquiao wins, that’s who he should fight.”
Pacquiao is coming off of a brutal knockout loss at the hands of Marquez this past December and will return to the ring next month in Macau, China when he meets rugged former lightweight titlist Brandon Rios.
There is an aura of uncertainty surrounding Pacquiao after such a devastating setback, but Mayweather has a feeling he could still be too much for the courageous Rios.
“Nobody knows what Pacquiao has left,” Mayweather said. “If the old Pacquiao shows up, Rios is in trouble. But the Pacquiao that got knocked out, no one knows what he has left. Rios may have enough to beat him.”
PLEASE CHECK BELOW for the full interview with Jeff Mayweather and other boxing updates…
Jeff Mayweather says Brandon Rios is in trouble if the old Manny Pacquiao shows up
Brandon Rios continues to grind for Manny Pacquiao [Bonus footage]
Roberto Garcia training footage and sparring highlights ahead of Nov. 2 return in Hidalgo, Texas
Roger Mayweather feels Tim Bradley will beat Manny Pacquiao in a rematch
Danny Garcia feels Adrien Broner should beat Marcos Maidana easily if he uses his skills
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com