By Chris Williams: Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach feels that the 40ish Shane Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KO’s) will be a tough fight for Pacquiao on May 7th, not an easy one like many boxing fans and writers suggest. Roach, however, also said that same thing about Pacquiao’a last two Top Rank opponents Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito.

Roach even went as far as saying that Clottey vs. Pacquiao would be a better fight compared to a bout between Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. If Roach meant better in terms of being an easier fight, then I can perfectly understand that because Clottey was a punching bag for Pacquiao. A fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao would likely go very badly for Pacquiao.

Since Pacquiao seems to be getting put in with struggling fighters over and over again instead of guys that are fighting well, I have to dismiss what Roach is saying about the shot looking Mosley being a tough fight for Pacquiao. If Roach is saying tough, I’m reading that as ‘here’s another easy guy to add to Pacquiao’s resume and keep the gravy train going a little longer.’

Roach had this to say recently about Mosley being another one of Pacquiao’s soft opponents: “That’s the worst thing in the world you can say because this is definitely not an easy fight. Shane has been there many times and he’s going to rise to the occasion. He is fighting Manny Pacquiao and he will fight the best fight of his life. We would be fools to underestimate Shane and we will not do that, I promise you.”

It’s sad that Roach has to build Mosley up. He usually tears down Pacquiao’s opponents, but since no one is giving Mosley any chance at all, Roach is now talking about how great he is. He wouldn’t have to do this if they would just take on someone that isn’t struggling like Mosley and who hasn’t won a fight in two years. Can you believe that? Mosley hasn’t won a fight since 2009, yet he’s been picked to fight Pacquiao in a pay-per-view bout. Heck, they should pay people to watch this mismatch.