Roach: ‘5’ in September

HOLLYWOOD—If he has the final say, Freddie Roach wants Pacquiao-Marquez 5 in September. Not a day earlier.

“That’s my idea of the soonest,” Roach told Manila-based sportswriters Tuesday. “April, May is way too soon.”

While he’s batting for a rematch, Roach’s primary concern is Pacquiao’s health.

“You get hit with a shot like that and maybe you had a concussion,” said Roach, referring to the dynamite right thrown by Juan Manuel Marquez that knocked Pacquiao out cold Saturday night in their fourth showdown at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Roach wants Pacquiao to take a complete rest before going back to the gym to test his readiness for a fight that’s shaping up to be even bigger than Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Once Pacquiao shows up, Roach will evaluate the condition his star fighter is in.

If Pacquiao turns out to be the same, not losing a step and sharp on his reflexes, training proceeds at once and the eight-division world champion gets the chance to avenge the shocking loss.