Pacquiao should fight Morales first -- Roach

[Bogler]

Pacquiao should fight Morales first -- Roach

First posted 01:56am (Mla time) Mar 09, 2006
Inquirer

Editor's Note: Published on page A19 of the March 9, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


ERIK Morales first, then, perhaps, Marco Antonio Barrera.

Renowned trainer Freddie Roach declared this yesterday just hours after World Boxing Council super featherweight champ Marco Antonio Barrera issued a challenge to Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.

Roach, in an interview with leading website **********, indicated his displeasure over the timing of Barrera’s dare, and even went farther as to say Barrera wants Pacquiao’s place at the top.

“Right now Barrera wants to be where Manny is, and that’s on top. We have to give Erik Morales his opportunity as the contract states,” Roach said, referring to the Sept. 16 third match between Pacquiao and Morales which was part of the contract they signed before their rematch last Jan. 21.

“If Erik chooses not to fight Manny then perhaps we look at Barrera,” he added.

Roach also said there had been offers for Barrera to fight Pacquiao in the past for a grudge rematch, but the Mexican always had a reason not to fight.

“Before Manny was where he is now, every time we tried to get a fight with Barrera, there was always a reason they didn’t want the fight,” Roach told **********.

The Filipino had earlier stopped Barrera in the 11th round of a non-title match in November 2003.

Pacquiao is set to return to the country on March 12 from a vacation in Hong Kong together with his family.

[bigsmoothh]

im not sure, i would like it if they went on to fight barrera then morales the contract wont be broken and the fans would be gettin their moneys worth. understood

[SquareCircle]

good move, go after morales now, before he has two tuneups and is confident enough to beat manny again. plus its a huge draw and will be a memorable fight.

[Bogler]

im not sure, i would like it if they went on to fight barrera then morales the contract wont be broken and the fans would be gettin their moneys worth. understood

the thing is, EM can exercise his right for a rubbermatch on sept16, not sure if it's signed already, but Pac can't do anything about it if EM wants it, it's in the contract. unless EM move the date or cancels it. Pac has another contract w/ a huge local TV company to have a fight in the philippines, but i'm sure barrera won't come over, nor hbo.

[magicjordan]

Pacquiao Willing To Fight Barrera Again But...cebu-based Promoter Rex "wakee" Salud On Wednesday Said This Was The Reaction Of Manny Pacquiao After Learning That Barrera Was Now Willing To Stake Hi World Boxing Council Super Featherweight Title Against The Filipino Ring Idol.
"i Talked To Manny Pacquiao In An Overseas Call From Hong Kong Early Today,and He Said That He Was Willing To Face Barrera Again,said Salud,who's Act As A One Of Manny Pacquiao Advisers,in A Telephone Interview.
Salud Said That W/ Barrera Challenging,it Was Likely That The 3rd Match Between Morales And Pacquiao Would Be Put On Hold In The Meantime.
Before Facing Barrera Again.pacquiao Wants To Give His Local Boxing Fans The Treat They Have Been Waiting For By Staging His Next Fight In The Country.but Larios Refused To Fight Manny Pacquiao For Some Reason.salud Suggest To Fight Javier Jauregui.so Maybe He Will Fight Jauregui Before Barrera.

[Deeznuts]

That would be good for Manny. He should take on at least 1 tune-up fight. He has been fighting the best lately so after Morales a tune-up should do him good.

[Bogler]

well that's good, if em-pac 3 can be put on hold then yeah lets have mab-pac 2 in sept!

[JoartCC]

im not sure, i would like it if they went on to fight barrera then morales the contract wont be broken and the fans would be gettin their moneys worth. understood

Sorry BS but back in here, in my country, we pinoys honor our given word. I can't say the same for MAB.

[psychopath]

Roach's arguements makes a perfect sense. It's in the signed contract so it's only logical that they honor it, but if Eric would not exercise his rubber match clause then there's no problem in making that fight on September.

And another thing is that, team MAB cannot twist the arms of team Pac to make that fight happen only when they wanted it. As Roach was saying there have been a lot of offers before but Team MAB always find excuses for it not to happen. Now it's their turn to wait.