Roach wants Spence or Danny Garcia for Pacquiao’s next fight

By Boxing News - 10/23/2019 - Comments

By Chris Williams: Trainer Freddie Roach says his preference for Manny Pacquiao’s next fight is either Errol Spence Jr. or Danny Garcia. Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) will be fighting in February. Roach says they’re already talking about Manny’s next opponent, but he’s not sure who’ll it be.

Pacquiao’s is coming off one of the biggest wins of his career against WBA Super World welterweight champion Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman on July 20. Pacquiao shocked the world in beating the previously undefeated Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) by a 12 round decision. There are a lot of boxing fans interested in seeing a rematch between Manny and ‘One Time’ Thurman. That’s the fight that Pacquiao should be making right now. Those two could be fighting each other again, and it would be a big seller.

Unfortunately, Spence was involved in a horrible car accident recently, and he’s not likely to be back in the ring by February. Although Spence got out of the accident without suffering any broken bones, he was still shaken up. Being thrown from a Ferrari isn’t good for one’s health.

Roach hopes Spence or Danny Garcia are picked for Pacquiao’s next fight

“Regardless of who they pick, he’s going to be ready,” said Roach about Pacquiao’s next fight. “I hope they pick Errol Spence or someone good. He’ll be back I believe in February. They’re talking about that, but I’m not sure how close they are at getting it. Danny Garcia looks like a good fight,” said Roach.

Roach fails to point out that the former two division world champion Danny Garcia (35-2, 21 KOs) isn’t a great option for Manny, considering that he’s lost 2 out of his last 4 fights. With 2-2 record, Garcia is a poor choice. Of course, Roach is obviously counting on the casual boxing fans being none the wiser about Garcia starting to struggle big time at 147. The casual fans like won’t have a clue about Garcia’s going downhill. Those same fans likely won’t be familiar enough with Garcia to be excited about a fight between him and Pacquiao.

The problem that Pacquiao has is he’s 40-years-old, and if he’s matched against someone that can fight, he’ll likely lose. Putting Pacquiao in with Yordenis Ugas or Shawn Porter would be a bad idea right now. There’s no chance that Terence Crawford will get a fight against Pacquiao. So after you eliminate Porter, Spence and Crawford you’re left with Danny Garcia as the only recognizable name.

Mikey Garcia has to EARN Pacquiao fight says Roach

“He’s a solid fighter. Mikey Garcia, but he lost so badly in his last fight,” said Roach in ruling out Mikey as a potential opponent for Pacquiao. “People aren’t interested in that so much. For him [Mikey] to get that fight, he has to get a credible win. There’s a lot of good guys for him to fight. I like challenges,” said Roach.

Former four division world champion Mikey Garcia (39-1, 30 KOs) is coming off of a one-sided 12 round decision loss to Spence last March. Mikey still hasn’t come back from that loss, and he’s been looking really big like he’s eating well. It would be a bad choice for Pacquiao to fight Mikey now, because he STILL hasn’t fought sine his loss to Spence.

Chavez Jr. will knockout Jacobs in later rounds

“If he gets tired, he’ll start boxing,” said Roach to Fighthype about Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in his match against Danny Jacobs. “Then he’ll knock him out in the late rounds. I’ve already done that,” said Roach when asked if he’s shown Chavez Jr. Manny Pacquiao’s worth ethic.

Roach is going a little overboard in predicting a knockout win for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in his fight against Daniel Jacobs in December. Chavez Jr. looks too thin right now, as if he’s on a a serious weight loss program. It’s good that Chavez Jr. has taken all the weight off, but he’s too emaciated right now to fight someone like Jacobs. This would be a mismatch even if Chavez Jr. were at his physical best. He was never in the same talent class as Jacobs, even in his best years.

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