Manny Pacquiao News: Trainer Freddie Roach Wants Fifth Fight Against Juan Manuel Marquez
As far as Manny Pacquiao's next fight goes, renowned trainer Freddie Roach is still eyeing for a fifth fight against old rival and Mexican boxing legend Juan Manuel Marquez.
The Filipino eight-division world champion is eyeing to make his 66th and final professional boxing fight in April 2016, as he intends to concentrate on a career in public service. Currently, Pacquiao is elected as the Congressman of the Sarangani Province in Mindanao, and he is running for a Senatorial seat in the 2016 Philippine Elections, which is scheduled to happen in the month of May.
A shortlist was made of Pacquiao's next possible opponents. Among them is former sparring partner Amir Khan, undefeated WBO light welterweight champion Terence Crawford, and most recently added, WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley.
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"Pacman" has also kept his doors open for a rematch against five-year on-paper rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. But his trainer Freddie Roach apparently has other things in mind.
In an interview with Fight Hype, the seven-time Boxing Writers Association of America Trainer of the Year awardee wants a fifth fight against one of Pacquiao's oldest rivals, Juan Manuel Marquez.
During the interview, Roach first pointed out how many from the boxing world would still want to see another fight between both men.
"He needs to fight somebody that the people want to see," Roach said in the interview. "He fought everybody and he still wants to fight everyone."
Pacquiao and Marquez have already fought each other a total of four times. The first encounter happened in 2004, with Pacquiao knocking Marquez down thrice within the first half of the fight. "El Dinamita," however, was able to make his way back to the fight, which was then rendered a draw. The second fight happened in 2008, with Pacquiao winning by a narrow split decision.
The third bout took place three years after, with a more active Marquez this time around. This was, however, marred by controversy as Pacquiao won by majority decision.
The exclamation point of an ending came in December 2012, when Marquez knocked Pacquiao out cold with one punch in the sixth round.
The win-loss record between the two is officially 2-1, in favor of Pacquiao. Which is why Roach still feels they are in a perfect position to ask for a fifth fight.
"I'd love to do it again," Roach said. "I think it's a big fight. I think he owes us one."
