Freddie Roach is apparently looking at several opponents for Manny Pacquiao’ next opponent, and isn’t too bothered by all the hype surrounding a possible super fight with Floyd Mayweather.
Although the final decision is something that all members of the Pacquiao camp will probably discuss at length before any decision is made, Roach is certainly one of the more influencial people in camp Pacquiao.
Undoubtedly the Mayweather fight would be the biggest both in terms of pay per view draws, acclaim and money to be made.
Perhaps Roach just wants to avoid all the inevitable difficulties and headaches in making this fight happen, with everything from weight to purse divisions potentially being stumbling blocks.
Rather than being difficult to deal with, virtually every other potential opponent that Pacquiao could possibly consider would be chomping at the bit to get the fight made. This rather than the demands and constant back and forth that would have to happen with a Mayweather fight.The first possibility mentioned by Roach is a third fight against Juan Manuel Marquez, who has probably come the closest to beating Pacquiao of his recent opponents.
“Maybe we can do Marquez one more time and give him a rematch…It will definitely be a big fight.”
The main problem with this idea is that this fight would take place at 145lbs. Marquez looked bloated and slow against Mayweather, and making him fight even higher above his natural weight would undoubtedly be seen as Pacquiao taking an easy fight.
If the weight was dropped back down to an optimal weight for Marquez, then he would have a good chance of dethroning Manny, certainly more than his other recent opponents have had. This isn’t to say that Pacquiao wouldn’t win necessarily, but he would have to work hard for it rather than running roughshod over someone for the entire fight.The other possibility that Roach mentioned was the winner of Shane Mosley and Andre Berto’s upcoming fight. Both of the two would certainly pose a challenge for Pacquiao, with Mosley in particular having the pedigree and style to trouble Pac-man.
Criticisms would no doubt be made if either of these fights are made due to Mosley’s age, his previous loss to Cotto and Berto’s lack of mainstream appeal or drawing power.
“Maybe the winner of that Mosley-Berto fight can be a great fighter for Manny.”
With Berto there is also the problem that the fight would not make too much money. Given that not too many people have heard of him outside of boxing circles, the fight purse as well as interest might be too small for Pacquiao to bother with.
Mosley is the favorite to beat Berto, but of course nothing will be certain until after the bout has happened. The other factor to consider might be how soon Manny wants to get back into the ring, given that a fight between either of these two would not even be able to be negotiated for several months.
