MANILA, Philippines – Boxing coach Freddie Roach has admitted being concerned about Manny Pacquiao’s recent statement about his faith.
Pacquiao has a fight coming up ahead and conflicting ideas about fighting and Christianity could affect his performance against Timothy Bradley.
Roach said he is aware that a deeper religious mindset could hurt Pacquiao’s chances in the ring.
"I haven't seen Manny yet, but I know he's got a very strong faith in God," he said in USA Today. "But I haven't seen him, so I haven't seen any changes or anything like that.”
Roach has been with Filipino superstar for more than a decade now.
He said he’ll know if his fighter has lost his killer instinct.
If that day comes, Roach said he’ll advise Pacquiao to retire.
"We'll get ready for the fight. If it's not there, it's not there, and I'll probably tell him to retire," he said.
On the other hand, Roach said it is possible for religion to help motivate Pacquiao in boxing.
"Getting rid of some of those things in his life could be a blessing," Roach said. "Too many distractions is not good, so the fewer distractions, the better off he will be.
"Hopefully he'll pick some better friends there, too."
Pacquiao is set to defend his WBO welterweight title against Bradley on June 9.