Freddie likes Danny for Manny
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 03 Nov 2019
LOS ANGELES. Trainer Freddie Roach said yesterday it’s not his decision to make but if he had a choice in deciding who will be super WBA welterweight champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent, his pick is the former super WBA/WBC lightwelterweight and WBC welterweight titleholder Danny Garcia.
“I don’t know when Manny’s next fight will be,” said Roach. “I’m just waiting for a call. I don’t pick Manny’s opponents. That decision is entirely up to Manny. I heard Manny wants to fight in March or April. I think six weeks of training in L. A. will be enough for Manny to get ready. Anything more than six weeks might be risking a burnout. Manny knows his body better than anyone.”
Roach said Danny Garcia is a better choice than the other Garcia, Mikey. “Danny’s a better fighter,” said Roach. “Besides, Mikey’s coming off a loss to (Errol) Spence. If Mikey wants to face Manny, he should do another fight first, get a win then challenge Manny. Spence would’ve been a good opponent for Manny. But he got involved in a bad car accident. I was told he suffered a broken jaw and was ejected because he wasn’t belted. I don’t know how long is his recovery period. Spence isn’t as good as some people say he is. (Shawn) Porter gave him a tough time. Porter used to spar with Manny. He’s aggressive and strong. Porter’s coming off a loss like Mikey so he wouldn’t be a leading candidate for Manny’s next opponent.”
Roach said he would’ve watched IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas in action if the fight hadn’t been cancelled. Roach will be in the corner of two fighters in the undercard where Ancajas would’ve fought at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson City this morning (Manila time). “I haven’t seen much of Jerwin like I haven’t seen much of (WBC superflyweight champion Juan Francisco) Estrada,” said Roach. “If they fight in a unification, it should be exciting. Is Estrada like Juan Manuel Marquez? I think anyone would be too cocky to call himself another Marquez.”
Danny Garcia, 31, has a 35-2 record, with 21 KOs. Born in Philadelphia to Puerto Rican parents, he turned pro in 2007 and has lost only to Keith Thurman by a split decision and to Porter by a unanimous verdict. In his most recent bout, Garcia stopped Adrian Granados in the seventh round last April. Mikey Garcia, 31, has held the WBO featherweight, WBO superfeatherweight, WBC/IBF lightweight and IBF lightwelterweight titles. Last March, he was outpointed by Spence in a bid to wrest the IBF welterweight crown. It’s the only stain in Garcia’s log book.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Into fights for IBA championship on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Camigue fights in Tanzania on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Team USA Captures Three More Wins on Day Three at World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
Fri, 24 Apr 20261,400 runners in Sagisag Davao Leg
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026The Marvelous Cup Invitational tourney set
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Junior Middleweights Currently The Hottest Division In Boxing!
By Ralph Rimpell, Thu, 23 Apr 2026All Star Boxing Announces 'Clash of the Unbeaten' on May 22nd In Panama
Thu, 23 Apr 2026Oliver Laroya Chess Tournament on April 25
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 23 Apr 2026Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Undefeated Rising Prospect Robert Guerrero Jr. to Appear at 3rd Annual Battle of the Trades on April 25
Thu, 23 Apr 2026WBC WORLD CHAMPION DALTON SMITH SIGNS NEW LONG-TERM CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN’S MATCHROOM BOXING
Thu, 23 Apr 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team Swept Day Two of World Boxing Cup - Stage 1
Thu, 23 Apr 2026FAELDONIA & NGO RULE STA. FE, ROMBLON, TABLAS OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT
Thu, 23 Apr 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines heads to Okada, Manila
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 23 Apr 2026May 16: Kelvin Davis-Peter Dobson Welterweight Clash & Yan Santana-Cristian Cruz Featherweight Battle Added to Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II Card LIVE on DAZN
Wed, 22 Apr 2026World Super Flyweight contender John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez waiting for Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez’ final decision
Wed, 22 Apr 2026