Only moments after Filipino warrior Manny Pacquiao dispatched of Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, I sat down with Freddie Roach, and two other journalist, as we covered a hand full of topics.
Many thoughts were shared in the conversation to shine light on several topics, but the most compelling exchange of them all would come in my last question with the highly respected trainer.
My question….”Now that Manny Pacquiao has made history in winning his 7th world title in 7 weight divisions, will there be any consideration given to allowing Manny to step up in weight yet again – maybe a catchweight of 151 lbs – to win an unprecedented 8th world title?”
Roach initially smiled, and just gazed at me without a verbal response, and then stated that “he has no idea who the champs are in that division, but if the deal were right, he’d definitely consider it”.
My immediate response to him was that Yuri Foreman, who happened to be on the Pacquiao/Cotto undercard ” was a very viable option”. Roach once again smiled, paused, and concluded his answer in saying “hell yeah, we can take that guy….We’d definitely face him”.
Well, here we are only weeks later, and apparently, that conversation that started as a pure stab in the dark has come full circle, as the option is not only on the table, but currently being studied from all angles.
The showdown with Mayweather is the one everyone wants, but after initially saying that he (Roach) would “need longer than March to prepare Pacquiao for Mayweather”, suddenly, Team Pacquiao is open for the March date, while it’s Mayweather who seems intent on waiting until later, with May being the option of choice.
Many wondered who Pacqiuao would face next if the Mayweather fight fell through. By his own admission, Pacquiao stated at the same press conference that night that he had “zero interest” in a rematch with Marquez, and “sees no purpose”.
Now that Marquez is off the table and Mayweather appears to be possibly waiting for a Fall 2010 showdown, suddenly, the outlook appears very clear.
For Pacquiao, either option is historical. A shot at the undefeated Mayweather, or a shot at an unprecedented 8th world title.
There’s no way to know what will take place in the end, but what we do know is that life for Pacquiao is sweet, as his cup has runneth over!
Stay tuned…
