Roach one of many who still want to see Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch

By Ponciano “John” Melo Jr.

CALIFORNIA, USA — Dubbed “The Fight of the Century” back in 2015, the bout between only eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and unblemished pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather four years ago left many unimpressed. 

In fact, the clamor for another matchup between two of the boxing world’s top fighters has echoed ever since Manny’s defeat against Floyd in their uneventful 12-rounder. 

Now, of all people, legendary coach Freddie Roach is one to lead the clarion call for another Pac-May inside the ring. 

Roach is back in Pacquiao’s camp after a rather “mysterious” hiatus when Pacquiao won a KO win over Argentine Lucas Matthysse, but was readily available for Manny’s next bout against Adrien Broner.

It can be remembered that the short split between the duo was after Roache’s comments that “Pacquiao being a senator and being a professional boxer at this level is not working.” 

Now Roach, shepherding Pacquiao to his 71st fight this coming July 20 (21, Manila time) against undefeated Keith Thurman Jr. at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, is hopeful that the two future Hall of Famers will meet once more inside the ring to a fight that suits the fight for the ages tag. 

Minus shoulder injuries, pay disputes, and whatnots. 

Saying he was still “bothered” by the Pacman’s loss to Mayweather, Roach is itching for a Pacquiao-Mayweather II, looking beyond their match against the younger Thurman in only a little over a week from now. 

“Hopefully we can get Mayweather to come to the table,” Roach told in an interview with AFP at the Wild Card gym recently. “I would like us to have one more crack at him,” he added. 

Pacquiao, 40, will attempt to notch the World Boxing Association welterweight crown from Thurman, and if a win permits, maybe this could be the spark that ignites a rematch with the unblemished and now retired Mayweather. 

“We didn’t fight a great fight that night,” Roach recalled. “Manny’s shoulder didn’t help at all. He’s had surgery since then, he’s 100 percent now.”

Roach vowed to redeem himself and his prized fighter if, and when, the two storied boxers collide once more inside the squared circle. 

“I would like us to fight Mayweather again because I didn’t like the way we performed. I was disappointed in myself.”

But Pacquiao, on the other hand, doused water on the brewing scenario as he says he doesn’t have Mayweather in his list as long as “The Money” is in retirement. 

“Floyd is retired. I am only looking at active fighters. Floyd is not active anymore,” Pacquiao said. “Right now I’m only thinking about Thurman.”