By Edward Chaykovsky
Freddie Roach, trainer of eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao, fully expects his fighter to return to the ring in the fall.
Pacquiao, 37-years-old, retired in April after winning a twelve round unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
A month later Pacquiao secured a senatorial seat back home in the Philippines and said he was planning to pursue a full-time career on politics. But it didn't take long before he was itching to get back in the ring.
Several names have been kicked around as Pacquiao's potential opponent - including former champion Adrien Broner, WBC welterweight champion Danny Garcia, and WBO welterweight champ Jessie Vargas - and the winner of the July 23rd super lightweight unification bout between Terence Crawford and Viktor Postol.
“I have no doubt he will fight again,” Roach said to USA Today. “He told me in the locker room after the fight (against Timothy Bradley in April) that he misses it already. He does have a couple of fights left in him for sure. His work ethic is great still and he will come back, but the October date (29th) is too soon.”
Floyd Mayweather Jr., who won a twelve round decision over Pacquiao last May in the most financial successful event in boxing history, is Roach's opponent of choice.
Like Pacquiao, Mayweather announced his retirement from the sport last September. In recent month's he's been hinting about the possibility of a comeback. Making the rematch would certainly be easier than the first contest, which took six years to put together - because Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank and Mayweather's manager Al Haymon are on friendly terms and eager to do business together.
“I want the rematch with (Floyd) Mayweather,” Roach said. “Manny thought he won that fight and he would definitely want that fight, for sure.”
