Roach says Pacquiao can get down to 135 to fight, but he’d prefer the fight take place at 140. Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, who also promotes Lomachenko, says he would love to match Pacquiao against Lomachenko, as he sees that as a dream fight.
Pacquiao was asked about the Lomachenko fight, and his eyes lit up as he spoke. He seemed pretty obvious that this is a fight that motivates him. During the same interview, Pacquiao was asked about a fight against Terence Crawford, and he appeared less animated when speaking of that fight. Based on my opinion, I think Pacquiao prefers the Lomachenko fight to the Crawford one. Arum should go in that direction rather than continually talking up a fight between Pacquiao and Crawford that may never actually happen.
Roach says he wasn’t that impressed with Lomachenko, who he feels isn’t that good of a fighter. Lomachenko was already beaten by Orlando Salido in 2014. Lomachenko has since won his last four fights against Gary Russell Jr., Suriya Tatakhun, Gamalier Rodriguez, Romulo Koaisicha and Roman “Rocky” Martinez.
Lomachenko is fighting at a high level right now at age 28. I could see him beating Pacquiao, and sending him into retirement.Roach said this to the boxing media about his thoughts on a Pacquiao vs. Lomachenko fight:
“He can make 135. I’d rather have him fight at 140,” said Roach about Pacquiao. “I haven’t thought of that fight [Pacquiao vs. Lomachenko] yet, because the weights are so far apart. I’d love that fight. I’d accept that in a minute. Lomachenko, sure, I don’t think he’s that good. He’s a good fighter, yes, but I’ve seen him look terrible in fights when he first came over here. I’ve seen him training in my gym for his first two fights, and he played more with tennis balls than anything. He’s going to need more than tennis balls to beat Manny Pacquiao,” said Roach.
