It was all part of Tuesday's public news conference intended to promote his world welterweight championship contest against Juan Manuel Marquez on Nov. 12 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas (HBO pay-per-view).
"I'm thinking right now that Floyd is preparing for our battle because he's got a southpaw opponent for his next fight," Pacquiao said. "Maybe it will come. I'd give it a possibility."
Mayweather is to oppose Victor Ortiz on Sept. 17, also at MGM Grand. Like Pacquiao, Ortiz is left-handed.
Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 knockouts) will be opposing Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs), who recently turned 38, for the third time. He knocked Marquez down three times in the opening round the first time they exchanged blows May 8, 2004. Marquez somehow recovered and fought back to gain a draw.
The rematch occurred March 15, 2008. Pacquiao recorded the only knockdown, in the third round of a bloody 12-round event marked by furious action. He banged out a one-point victory in a split decision that Marquez still contends should have gone his way.
Weight and age are hardly on Marquez's side. When he entered the ring vs. Mayweather at 142 pounds on Sept. 19, 2009, the native of Mexico City complained that the career-high weight explained why his counterpunching style was so ineffective against Mayweather's famously fast hands as he was dominated for 12 rounds.
Roach is confident Pacquiao will take a much different approach to Marquez now. "We have to be a little smarter. We can't walk in recklessly," he said.
The trainer does not expect another close decision. He expects no decision at all.
"We'll knock him out somewhere along the way," he said.
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