AMERICAN trainer Freddie Roach believes Manny Pacquiao will be more focused in training should they finally get to fight Juan Manuel Marquez.
In an overseas interview with Sports Radio yesterday, Roach said Pacquiao knows Marquez is the only Mexican hope for a revenge against the Filipino sensation.
?Manny has beaten all the Mexican fighters and Marquez is the only one left. I want Manny to get that fight because its still an unfinished business,? Roach told Sports Chat.
Roach said Pacquiao already agreed to train a total of eight weeks for the March outing, with the first two weeks to be held in Cebu. The next six weeks, Roach added, will be held at the famed Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.
?He knows how important this fight will be. And he needs to be in training mode once the fight is set,? said Roach.
Pacquiao, who will turn 29 next month, established his stardom by feasting on prized Mexican fighters.
Pacquiao jump-started his rise when he pulverized Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003 and cemented his claim to fame by winning two of his three battles with Erik Morales. For his most recent fight on October, Pacquiao repeated over Barrera via an emphatic 12-round decision.
Aside from Marquez, World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion David Diaz is the other fighter being considered as Pacquiao?s next foe.
The names of the two fighters were disclosed to the BusinessMirror by Top Rank big boss Bob Arum in a recent overseas phone interview.
Roach said Marquez may end up as Pacquiao?s foe because the Mexican is the most logical choice.
?It makes sense for Marquez to be Manny?s next opponent but I won?t believe everything?s 100 percent until I hear it from them [promoters],? said Roach.
?But I think it?s pretty good right now. That?s the people wants. Marquez wants the fight and Manny wants the fight too.?
Roach added that Arum and Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) executive Richard Schaefer were to meet yesterday to firm up Pacquiao?s next fight.
Top Rank and GBP are compelled to work together as a result of a court-ordered mediation after Pacquiao signed similar deals with both outfits.
Arum said they are arranging three fights for Pacquiao next year starting in March, followed by a July outing and another one in September.
?I like that setup. I think Manny needs to get busy. After Marquez maybe Manny can fight any of the two Diazes at 135,? said Roach.
Apart from Diaz the WBC champion, another American Juan ?The Baby Bull? Diaz holds three lightweight belts?the World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation and the World Boxing Organization.
Roach was a bit more serious and actually was the one who mentioned the name of Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya as a possible opponent of Pacquiao in September.
?It?s being talked about. But Manny?s really comfortable at 130. I still want Manny to win a title at 130 then go for the 135 title,? added Roach.
Arum also expressed interest in staging that fight in separate interview with the BusinessMirror recently.
