Besides unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr., Freddie Roach is keen on picking Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez as Manny Pacquiao?s next opponent but at catch weight 147 pounds. Roach, two days Pacquiao?s triumph over Mexican Antonio Margarito, told boxingscene.com that he likes to see the Saranggani congressman completely demolish Marquez for the third time.
?I like to fight Marquez one more time to shut him out,? said Roach. Pacquiao?s first fight with Marquez in 2004 yielded a draw but the Filipino won via split decision in the second fight in 2008 at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada.
But Roach told that if Marquez (51-5-1 with 37 knockouts) wants to fight Pacquiao (52-3-2 with 38 knockouts) for the third time, it must be at 147lb?nothing less and nothing more.
?We are not going to fight below 147[lb],? said Roach. ?I want Manny to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner because he?s much a happier fighter and tonight was a good example. Manny fought perfectly in six round at this weight.?
The first time that Pacquiao hit 147lb was when he fought David Diaz. After some time adjusting to 147lb, he started beating bigger opponent like Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey and Margarito.
In two weeks, Marquez will defend his World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization lightweight belts against challenger Michael Katsidis in Las Vegas. If Marquez wins, he might fight Pacquiao anew. JOSEF T. RAMOS
