MANILA, Philippines – Looks like Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach are not on the same page on this one.
Pacquiao is dead serious in making a comeback sometime in April, just four months after he suffered a scary knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas.
But the chance to get back at Marquez may have to wait until September because for this one they want to fight someone else outside the United States.
It sounds like a tune-up fight for Pacquiao especially if he ends up facing guys like Ukrainian Vyacheslav Senchenko or American Jessie Vargas.
But Roach is not buying the idea.
?The thing is, I don?t really like the tune-up fight,? Roach told www.boxingscene.com after reports came out that Pacquiao is already being scheduled to fight on either April 13 or April 20. Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Aside from Senchenko and Vargas, names that don?t really ring a bell yet, others being considered next for Pacquiao are Brandon Rios, Robert Guerrero and Tim Bradley.
But Pacquiao?s adviser, Mike Koncz, told The STAR the other day they want to seal the venue first before they think of the opponent.
Talks are on regarding holding Pacquiao?s next fight in Singapore, Macau, Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Roach is sticking to his previous plan. He wants Pacquiao to rest longer this time, then train harder and go straight to a fifth fight with Marquez in September.
?April or May is way too soon. I wouldn?t be thinking of a fight until maybe September. That?s my idea of the soonest,? he told Pinoy scribes days after Pacquiao?s ?great fall.?
?I don?t think that?s (tune-up fight) necessary at this stage. I don?t think he needs to fight a bum,? Roach also said with no idea then who the candidates are.
Senchenko is 35 years old, stands 5?11? and carries a ring record of 33-0-1 with 22 knockouts. Last year, he defeated a comebacking Ricky Hatton. He is the WBA welterweight champion.
Vargas is a new and good kid on the block. He?s only 23 but is undefeated in 20 fights with nine knockouts. Like Senchenko he stands close to six feet.
Rios, Bradley and Guerrero are no bums either.
Roach thinks there?s no need for Pacquiao to go through any of these guys just to feel ready to take on Marquez for the fifth time.
?I would rather just go straight into the fifth fight. I don?t think a guy of Pacquiao?s level needs a tune-up.? fight. Thing is he?s going to get right back in the horse,? Roach said.
What?s certain for now is that Pacquiao will fight again, and is raring to get back at Marquez.
?The first thing he said to me (after the loss to Marquez) ? we need to do it one more time,? Roach also told www.boxingscene.com.
Tuneup or no tuneup.
