By Bill "Two Scoops" Emes
One possible option for the fall being discussed, by Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, is a welterweight clash between Manny Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38KOs) and Ruslan Provodnikov (23-2, 16KOs). Pacquiao is scheduled to return in November in Macau. Provodnikov is back on Saturday night against Chris Algieri.
The biggest factor in the match is the training situation. Hall of Fame coach Freddie Roach is the head trainer of both boxers. When the fight was first being mentioned, Roach made it known that he would remove himself from the match and stay away from working with either boxer. That is no longer the case. If the fight comes about, then Roach would remove himself from the corner of Provodnikov in order to train Pacquiao for the bout.
"He would lose me and my team, as his trainer. It would be a tough decision for them. If that does happen, Manny would get ready for the fight. I think its a good fight for Manny, I feel. I know Ruslan very well. It would be terrible to lose a fighter over that, but these things happen in boxing," Roach told BoxingScene.com.
"[Provodnikov's promoter] Artie [Pelullo] has asked me about that 'if the fight comes about, please let it happen, Ruslan needs that fight.' I haven't talked to Pacquiao about that, because we really have no offer yet. There is nothing on paper, there is nothing being negotiated. If could happen. I wouldn't be happy about it happening because I don't want to fight my guys against each other, but if that's what they want to do then that's what we'll have to do and Manny will have to do his job and beat Ruslan."
