Pacquiao must retire if he loses again, says Roach

Manny Pacquiao AP FILE PHOTO

There’s no middle ground for Manny Pacquiao when he battles Brandon Rios on Nov. 24 at The Venetian Macao.

A win guarantees extension of Pacquiao’s storied career while a loss means it’s time to hang up his gloves, according to Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.

“If he (Pacquiao) loses, I will tell him to retire,” Roach told ESPN.com. “If you lose three in a row it’s your time. He’s up there in age (34). I’ve got to keep a close eye on him. It’s part of my job to protect him. I will do the right thing. I don’t want him to be a stepping stone (for other fighters).”

Pacquiao trusts Roach’s ring judgment and the eight-division world champion has repeatedly said that he would heed whatever the five-time trainer of the year will tell him.

Roach believes that, despite getting knocked out cold in the sixth round by Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez last Dec. 8, Pacquiao still has some fight left in him. The Filipino icon holds a 54-win,

5-loss, 2-draw record with 38 knockouts.

Roach said  Pacquiao’s style is suited for Rios, who is also a power hitter with a 31-1-1 (23 KOs) slate.