By James Slater– Along with strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza, head trainer of Manny Pacquiao Freddie Roach is keen on the idea of his charge facing Mexican star Juan Manuel Marquez for a third time next year. When discussing who Pac-Man might face in his next fight, Ariza said he’d prefer to see Manny get it on with the Mexican for a third time far more than he would like to see Pacquiao face “Sugar” Shane Mosley..
And unless Floyd Mayweather Junior (who is back in the news today, for all the wrong reasons – he is alleged to have “poked” a security guard in the face several times) can be brought in as the next foe for the pound-for-pound king, it does seem as though “Dinamita” will be the frontrunner to next share a ring with the Filipino superstar.
Roach was quoted by The Manila Times as saying he too would like to see Manny fight Marquez for a third time; so as to “shut him up.” And, if Marquez can get past Australia’s Michael Katsidis on Nov. 27th, he might have a real shot at getting the fight he craves. Ever since Marquez first met Pacquiao (down at feather-weight), and especially since losing a desperately close split decision to Pac-Man in a rematch four years later (up at 130-pounds), he has been aching for a third go at the southpaw dynamo.
And Roach is up for such a fight – but not at any weight below 147-pounds.
“I’d like to fight Marquez a third time to shut him up,” Roach said. “[But] we are not going to fight below 147.”
Only yesterday, Ariza said 140 and 147 are great weights for Pac-Man to fight at, and it was assumed a third fight between Manny and Juan Manuel would take place at 140 – seeing as how the Mexican cannot fight effectively at welterweight. But, Roach, the main man, has said otherwise. Will Marquez be willing to attempt bulking up to welterweight for a second time, so as to get the dream fight with Pac-Man?
Whoever Pacquiao fights next, though, he probably won’t be in action until next June. So said Roach yesterday (Manila time).
“I told him to take six months off,” Roach told GMA news. “He needs a nice long rest. That was a hard physical fight [with Margarito]. I mean, he’s bruised everywhere. He’s been hit everywhere.”
Further reports tell us how Pac-Man visited the hospital to get his ribs checked out, and that he has been given the all-clear to lave for his scheduled Lake Tahoe concert. After Saturday’s hard 12-rounder with 32-year-old Margarito both warriors sustained injuries – the loser’s far more serious than the winner’s!
So, Manny will now take that well earned rest before looking to get back in the ring in May or June of next year. And if Mayweather isn’t “available,” Marquez just might be Pac-Man’s next dance partner.