Pacquiao not shutting doors on Freddie Roach

MANILA — Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao remains vague whether his longtime trainer Freddie Roach would join him or not in training camp in preparation for his upcoming fight against WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Speaking to the press on Wednesday at City of Dreams in Pasay, Pacquiao cited that he has yet to make a final decision if he's keeping the Hall of Fame trainer in his corner.

Sen. Manny Pacquiao at the press conference of his fight against WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse. Photo: KC Cruz

"Freddie and I have a good relationship, we're like a family. I am not decided yet. Whatever decision I make in this fight, I'm not closing the door on Freddie," said Pacquiao.

Over the past few weeks, various outlets reported that Roach has been booted out of Team Pacquiao.

Pacquiao's friend and assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez, who he believes is capable of handling his camp, is said to have been tapped to take Roach's place.

"I believe Buboy can do that, he can handle [our training camp]. He knows what we're going to do because Buboy has worked with me since the beginning," says Pacquiao.

"Whatever decision that I make, it just so happen that I just want to try to have Buboy to handle training. Right now I haven't decided yet because I'm yet to be in training mode. — LA, GMA News