IT’S DEFINITE: Manny Pacquiao will be fighting undisputed world light welterweight boxing champion Terence Crawford of the United States.
This assurance was given by trainer Freddie Roach in an exclusive interview with George Gigney of BoxingNews.
Roach said Pacquiao-Crawford will happen but definitely not next November.
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Promoter Bob Arum has reserved a Nov. 5 fight date for Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
Explained Roach: “I don’t like the Crawford fight in November. He’s a great athlete and I wouldn’t make Manny take it unless he’s 100 percent.”
Roach said either Jesse Vargas or Danny Garcia, in that order, would most likely be Pacquiao’s next opponent.
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Roach said Pacquiao will be burdened by his schedule and work load in the Philippines for him to be fully prepared for a truly big fight.
He explained: “Almost the entire training camp would be in the Philippines. We wouldn’t be able to fly back to the US until 12 days before the fight. We’ll also be training in the evenings because Manny will be working in the Senate all day. So it won’t be the best camp.”
Roach said he wants the November fight to be a warm-up and then for Pacquiao to fight again shortly after.
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“Sure the Crawford fight will definitely happen, it’s a good fight.” Roach continued. “Crawford is a great athlete. We weren’t expecting him to fight the way he did against Viktor (Postol). I’m not sure he’ll be able to box like that against Manny.”
What if he does?
“It won’t be a problem. It’s just a pain in the ass tracking someone down all the time,” Roach replied.
In the last fight, Roach was overheard telling Postol to quit chasing after Crawford.
“But Manny still has a lot left,” Roach assured. He refused to elaborate.