By Carlos Boogs
Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach would like to see Manny Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38KOs) fight at least two more times before retiring from the sport for good.
Pacquiao retired from the sport in April after winning a twelve round decision over Timothy Bradley in a trilogy fight. The eight division world champion was motivated to expand on his growing political career in the Philippines. He won a senatorial seat in May.
The frontrunner to fight him, according to the boxer's promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, is the winner of tonight's junior welterweight unification at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas - when WBO champion Terence Crawford (28-0, 20KOs) collides with WBC champion Viktor Postol (28-0, 12KOs). The fight is being carried on HBO Pay-Per-View.
Top Rank has set aside November 5th at Las Vegas' Thomas & Mack Center for Pacquiao's return. They wanted him to fight in October, but the fight was pushed back after a conflict with Pacquiao's political schedule.
Roach believes Pacquiao has a lot left in the tank after dominating Bradley in their trilogy fight.
"From what Bob told me [Pacquiao is set to fight again], yes. From what Manny told me, I don't know. Manny has not said anything to me on that. I think Manny still has a lot left. I thought he looked really good in his last fight. I thought the old Manny Pacquiao came back and I would like him to fight at least two more times," Roach said.
Because of Pacquiao's busy schedule as a senator, the majority of the training camp will have to take place in the Philippines instead of Roach's Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.
"The worst part about that is that I have to go to the Philippines [to train Pacquiao] for eight weeks. But it's been done before and if it has to be done it will be," Roach said.
