MANILA, Philippines – No. Freddie Roach isn?t really urging Manny Pacquiao to retire from boxing.
But the celebrated trainer yesterday told Fanhouse there?s nothing he could do if Pacquiao, now a congressman, decides to retire after his fight with Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13 in Texas.
?I would tell him to call it a day. I believe that if that?s where his heart is, then that?s where it is,? said Roach, who said a couple of days ago that he feels the sport is losing Pacquiao to politics.
Roach thinks that it?s all up to Pacquiao to quit while he?s on top or to go on fighting while he performs his duties as a Filipino lawmaker.
?You know, if he beats Antonio Margarito, it would be his eighth world title and what more would he have to accomplish?? Roach told Fanhouse sports editor Lem Satterfield in an interview.
Roach said Pacquiao must be enjoying himself as a congressman that it takes a little of his focus off boxing.
?Well, he loves his job. He misses his job as a congressman. His mind was on Congress for the first few weeks of training and you could tell. It wasn?t on being in the gym.
?He?s so proud to be a politician, and he walks the walk. He loves being a congressman and trying to improve his country. And I feel that eventually, yes, we will lose him to politics,? he told Fanhouse.
Pacquiao is into the last three weeks heading to the Margarito fight, and Roach thinks those three weeks are enough to get him ready for the biggest fight of his colorful career.
Roach is sticking to a knockout victory for Pacquiao.
?I think that we will knock Margarito out along the way. I think that Margarito?s defense is terrible. He?s slow. I know that Margarito is supposed to be in great shape for this fight, but that?s what he?s supposed to be,? he said.
?It?s a world title fight, so that?s what I
