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Roach: I'm watching tape to prepare for a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight

Roach: I'm watching tape to prepare for a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight

MACAU -- Freddie Roach has spent the better part of the latter three months preparing Manny Pacquiao to face Chris Algieri. But Roach also reserved a bit of that time to watch some video of Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Roach said not long after Pacquiao's dominant victory over Algieri Saturday before 13,202 fans at Cotai Arena that he is at least guardedly optimistic a bout with Mayweather, the pound-for-pound king, may occur next year.

Roach said he facilitated a summer meeting at Arum's Beverly Hills, Calif., home between the veteran promoter and Leslie Moonves, the chairman of CBS Corp., in the hopes of them arranging a fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather. Roach said Moonves was angry at Arum because Arum had promised Moonves that Pacquiao would fight three times on Showtime and he only fought once.

But Roach said he maneuvered to get the men together and talking.

Asked to rate his level of optimism, Roach smiled and said, "I'm watching tape again."

There is a long way to go between talks in the summer and the fight boxing fans have been desperate to see since 2010, but at least it's a step in the right direction.

Pacquiao said he's down for it.

"It's time to step up and say yes," Pacquiao said.