Manny Pacquiao in Trouble

Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum departed for the Philippines on Tuesday night for a previously scheduled trip to meet Pacquiao. Arum was not immediately available for comment today.

Roach said his agent, Nick Khan, told him "Arum had a deal together" when he left the U.S. "That's all I know."

Roach said he remains uncertain if the fight has to be fought March 13 because of Pacquiao's planned run for a congressional seat in the Philippines in May. Arum and HBO, which will televise the bout, if it occurs, on pay-per-view, prefer a May 1 date.

Roach wants the later date too.

"March 13 is too fast a turnaround," said Roach. "Manny has a broken eardrum" suffered in his Nov. 14 TKO victory over welterweight Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. "I'd like to have more time. I hope the fight happens, yes, but I want us to be in the best possible shape."