ROACH TALKS TO PACQUIAO: FIGHT HORN NOT LOMACHENKO OR CRAWFORD
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 29 Jul 2018
Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach was dismayed of his favorite fighter Manny Pacquiao that he knew that he was not hired as coach of the Lucas Matthysse fight only in the media. Roach made some statements that the eight-division eleven-time world champ had not talked to him since the loss to Jeff Horn in Brisbane, Australia.
But lately, Roach told ESPN boxing reporter Carlos Narvaez that he has spoken to Pacquiao and said the Filipino boxing icon wanted to reunite with him after wresting the WBA welterweight belt from Matthysse.
Roach said he appreciated the fighting senator who was simply more superior than the Argentine KO specialist.
"I talked to Manny and I told him that he looked good. I think his opponent tried to pack it in early. He couldn't handle Manny's pressure," Roach was quoted in Boxing Scene. "It was a good fight for him."
The seven-time Trainer of the Year said they had several conversations with Manny already where they have talked about working together.
Roach declared he is very busy training his boxers right now, especially Alberto Machado, the Puerto Rican WBA super featherweight champion.
He recalled having joyous times working with the former pound-for-pound king of the world. "The truth is I'm happy with the 16 years I was next to Manny."
Roach is very cautious about Pacquiao's age. "He is already 39 years old. He still has good speed and power. But father time does not forgive and we all get slow."
He would like Manny to exact revenge on Horn after that controversial decision loss. "Horn would be a good fight to finish his career."
But he is not comfortable with the names they are talking about out there as Pacquiao's next foes like Vasyl Lomachenko and Terence Crawford.
"I think they wouldn't be the right opponents. I think that I wouldn't like those fight for Manny," warned Roach.
Pacquiao could just be used as a stepping stone by Top Rank for Lomachenko and Crawford to become pay-par-view stars when the fighting senator has distanced himself from his long time promoter.
Crawford became boxing's latest three-division champion winning the WBO welterweight title with a ninth-round TKO of Horn at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas last June.
Crawford outlanded Horn 155-58 in total punches and connected more than half of power punches 124-53, according to CompuBox.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Introducing The Spartan Series: Vegas Fight Experience — Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
Sun, 08 Jun 2025RESULTS FROM TONIGHT’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” PRESENTED BY SALITA PROMOTIONS & ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT LIVE ON DAZN AT THE TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO
Sat, 07 Jun 2025Davis vs De Los Santos: The Fight That Never Was
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 07 Jun 20252 Filipino grandmasters join Touchmove chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 07 Jun 2025Keyshawn Davis Fight Canceled After Weight Miss, Mason-Nakathila Elevated to Main Event
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 07 Jun 2025Eumir Marcial Set to Battle Alexis Gaytán in Pacquiao's Comeback Show
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 07 Jun 2025SUNDAY: Fabio Turchi-Milans Volkovs Cruiserweight Showdown Headlines Italy Fight Card LIVE in the U.S. on ESPN+
Sat, 07 Jun 2025Bomogao KOs Rubio in 1st round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 07 Jun 2025REYES CUP SET FOR ELECTRIFYING RETURN TO MANILA, OCTOBER 16–19
Sat, 07 Jun 2025King's Promotions June 19th Card at Wind Creek Event Center is Postponed Card Rescheduled for September 5th
Sat, 07 Jun 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 7 - AMATEUR BOXING CAREER OF MUHAMMAD ALI
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 06 Jun 2025Indiana, Haliburton Do It Again, Pacers Shock OKC on the Road, 111-110
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 06 Jun 2025STAR BOXING PRESENTS SPECIAL PRESS CONFERENCE-MONDAY
Fri, 06 Jun 2025Undefeated Super Bantamweight Chavez Barrientes Returns June 7th Against Sharone Carter on Most Valuable Prospects 13 Card
Fri, 06 Jun 2025Vasiliy Lomachenko Announces Retirement: A Glorious Chapter Closes in Boxing History
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 06 Jun 2025