Revered American ring strategist Freddie Roach said that there’s a possibility that his ward, Filipino ring star Manny “The Destroyer” Pacquiao, and the latter’s tormentor, Mexican star Erik Morales, will be fighting on the same card.
In an interview by Anthony Evans of boxing website secondsout.com, Roach said that Pacquiao and Morales will probably fight on the same card either in September or October.
Roach said it’s almost sure that Morales will attempt to become a four-division champion by challenging Leavander Johnson for the IBF lightweight title in October, while Pacquiao may take on former WBC featherweight champion Kevin Kelly in what could be considered as “tune-up bouts” in preparation for their highly-anticipated rematch.
Roach, however, admitted that they will have to wait a little longer for the Pacquiao-Morales return bout to happen.
“Manny and Morales will be on the same card in September or October and then the rematch could happen December 10. Or, possibly, because December isn’t a great pay-per-view month (in terms of buy-rates), they may push that pay-per-view back to March 2006,” said Roach.
“Both Manny and Morales may fight twice each before they fight each other again and that’s great with us, we have no problem with that as long as the fight happens by March,” added the 2004 Trainer of the Year awardee.
Roach said that they are planning to fight first Kelly, and if there’s a second fight, they’re considering Carlos Hernandez as a probable opponent for Pacquiao.
“We’re looking at facing maybe Kevin Kelley first. Kevin beat Jose Reyes who was 17-1 in his last fight, which was a good win, and we don’t want Manny to fight a killer every time out,” said Roach.
“And if there is a second fight (before the Morales return) we’re looking at Carlos Hernandez, someone of that caliber, he fought Jesus Chavez in a very good fight and is a little bit dangerous. He’s the type of opponent we’d like for December.”
Roach further divulged that Pacquiao won’t follow Morales in the lightweight division and that they will fight the Mexican warrior only at 130 lbs. or the super featherweight division.
“No, we won’t fight Morales at 135lbs, only at 130lbs. Manny’s best fighting weight is at 126lbs but we wanted Morales (in the first fight) and we want him again for the rematch. We are willing to stay at 130lbs. But we will not go to 135lbs and we’re clear on that,” said Roach.
Morales won via close, but well-deserved unanimous decision win over Pacquiao during their epic 12-round contest on March 19, 2005 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
After the classic showdown of two great fighters, boxing fans excitedly talked about an immediate rematch and Roach is looking forward to it with a renewed sense of confidence and enthusiasm that Pacquiao will get even with Morales.
“I think it is a fight that has to happen. The fans want it, Morales wants it and especially Manny and we want it. It will be a different fight, the rematch, believe me,” said Roach.
Roach believes that now that US promoter Murad Muhammad is already out of the picture, Pacquiao could now focus on his career with any mental reservation and distraction.
