Roach wants Floyd for Manny next

Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 03:06:00 07/07/2009 Filed Under: Boxing MANILA, Philippines - It's no longer feasible this year, but Freddie Roach holds out hope that his prized ward, Manny Pacquiao, will get to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. in his next outing. And the three-time Trainer of the Year predicts that the lucrative bout will happen early next year. “I think we’re going to fight either (Miguel) Cotto or Shane Mosley, so either one is fine with me,” Roach told Percy Crawford of FightHype Monday. “But Mayweather is the one I want and hopefully, the Mayweather fight will happen by early next year.” Roach and Pacquiao had originally looked at a Mayweather bout either on Oct. 17 or Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Mayweather, who was supposed to battle Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18, however, suffered a rib injury during training. The fight, set at a catch weight of 143 pounds, has since been moved to Sept. 19. Thus far, Cotto, the WBO welterweight champ, appears to be Pacquiao’s most likely foe with only the catch weight (144 lb or 145 lb) and revenue sharing still to be resolved. Because of the undefeated American’s edge in size and defense, Roach hesitated on a Pacquiao-Mayweather duel last year. But Pacquiao’s successive demolition of Oscar De La Hoya at 147 lb and Ricky Hatton at 140 made Roach change his mind. As to Cotto and Mosley, Roach feels that both are tough fights as they are bigger and stronger than Pacquiao. But he said the Filipino superstar stands a good chance as he works hardest against big guys.