Unless Manny Pacquiao impresses in his next performance in early 2016, Freddie Roach has hinted he may cease to train the Filipino icon. The pair has shared a long, successful trainer-fighter relationship over the years, but Roach is well known for dropping fighters when he feels there’s little left in the tank.
Fading fighters may disagree with the rule, but it’s Roach who knows all too well the dangers of overstaying one’s welcome in boxing. Roach, a former boxer himself, received far too many beatings in the ring, which has arguably led to Parkinson’s disease.
But it’s not over for Pacquiao yet. Roach, 55, recently told ENewsReporting what he’ll be looking for when his finest pupil makes his return to the ring.
“Speed is a great thing to have, but sometimes when you get a little older you slow down a bit,” Roach said. “Manny has to really show me something in his next fight for me to continue with him.
“Even though he got injured in that fight [against Floyd Mayweather Jr.], I don’t think he fought his best fight. I’d like to see him fight a better fight than that. That’s why I’d like to see a rematch, because I’d like to see one more time if he can do well in that fight.
“But for us to get a rematch, we’d have to beat someone with a name and be impressive in doing it.”
How good Pacquiao looks in his next outing will of course depend on the ability of his opponent. Bob Arum’s top choice is Amir Khan, which could be a real tough fight. The Top Rank chief also recently revealed Terence Crawford and Lucas Matthysse as options. Again, real tough candidates.
As for a Mayweather rematch, the chances are zilch. Mayweather-Pacquiao was such a disappointment that boxing promoters are now trying to distance themselves from it entirely. For a rematch, Mayweather would be looking to earn in excess of the $200 million he took from the first encounter, which just seems impossible right now.
Will Manny Pacquiao be leaving the Wild Card Gym in 2016? What of his chances against Khan, Crawford and Matthyssse? And would Pacquiao hang his gloves up for Politics if Freddie Roach did refuse to train him?
Mark Phillips is the Head Staff Writer/Assistant Editor at BoxingBase.com, and provides worldwide news, coverage and analysis – he can be reached via our Contact Page.
