ROACH: NO DECISION YET ON WHO WILL BE PACQUIAO?S NEXT OPPONENT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 26 Nov 2007
No decision has been made as yet on who Manny Pacquiao?s next opponent will be according to celebrated trainer Freddie Roach.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Roach said that Pacquiao and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum ?sat down and had a little lunch? during the shooting of a Nike commercial which features the Filipino ring idol in training at the Wild Card Gym of Roach.
However, Roach said ?no decision has been made as yet, though? and that Arum would meet with Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer this week to look at the numbers.
The celebrated trainer said the Nike commercial was ?a big shoot and went well. It was a lot of fun.?
Roach has indicated he would prefer that Pacquiao fights WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez in a rematch before moving up to the lightweight division to fight WBC champion David Diaz whose contract with Top Rank will reportedly run out soon. Besides, Diaz who earned a mere $350,000 for his title defense against Erik ?El Terrible? Morales in his last fight is looking for a possible $1 million payday in a Pacquiao showdown.
Indications are both Arum and Pacquiao are leaning towards David Diaz. In his newspaper column in the tabloid Abante which was posted on philboxing.com Pacquiao hinted at his preference for Diaz by posing the question ?isn?t it better if we fight when we are both champions?? Pacquiao stressed that negotiations for a Marquez rematch are ongoing and that they will ultimately get there. The Filipino ring warrior at the same time emphasized that he has never been afraid of any fighter in response to allegations that he was afraid to give Marquez a rematch. ?I am a boxer and my job is to fight? he wrote.
Pacquiao said he would have some news on his next opponent on his return. He was scheduled to leave Los Angeles Saturday night (LA time) and is expected to arrive in Manila early Monday morning. At the same time he allayed fears of his fans about his focus on boxing saying ?boxing is my top priority. Don?t worry.?
Pacquiao said he plans to ?start sweating in December? to get into physical condition and will begin training in the US in January. He said the conditioning process will ensure that when he begins working out at the Wild Card gym it wont be sudden.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026