FILE – In this May 2, 2015 photo, trainer Freddie Roach, left, listens as Manny Pacquiao answers questions during a press conference following his welterweight title fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas. Pacquiao could face disciplinary action from Nevada boxing officials for failing to disclose a shoulder injury before the fight. Nevada Athletic Commission Chairman Francisco Aguilar said that the state attorney generals office will look at why Pacquiao checked no a day before the fight on a commission questionnaire asking if he had a shoulder injury. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Manny Pacquiao may still be recovering from his shoulder injury but trainer Freddie Roach already has an opponent in mind.
But it’s not Amir Khan.
Roach told Boxing News Online he wants Danny Garcia as Pacquiao’s comeback opponent after the latter’s May 2 loss against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“I want Danny Garcia, that’s my choice. That’s the easiest fight in the f****** world, you can tell his dad [Angel Garcia] that as well,” Roach said.
A Pacquiao-Garcia fight may be a long shot as Pacquiao is under Top Rank while Garcia is under rival Al Haymon, Mayweather’s adviser.
Garcia is riding a 31-fight win streak with victories over Amir Khan, Zab Judah, Erik Morales, and Paul Malignaggi.
“His dad psyched Amir Khan out but he won’t psych Pacquiao out I promise. Pacquiao will knock Garcia out. I like the dad but he talks too much s***.”
Top Rank Honcho Bob Arum earlier had said that Pacquiao could take on Khan next year in a fight that could happen in the Middle East.
Roach added Pacquiao can return to the ring in “three to six months” after recovering from the right shoulder injury the fighter sustained during the training camp for the Mayweather fight.
“He tells me it feels better, he went swimming the other day, he’s playing a little basketball so he says it’s coming along fine. But it won’t be a while until he’s in the ring again, three to six months.” CFC