BoxRec

If the 37-year-old Manny Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KOs) can get past World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Jessie Vargas (27-1, 10 KOs) in their fight this Saturday night, Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach says he would be open to a fight between Pacquiao and WBO super featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko (6-1, 4 KOs) taking place.

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.

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.

Lomachenko is fighting at a high level right now at age 28. I could see him beating Pacquiao, and sending him into retirement.

At 135, I can definitely see Loma beating current Pac who would have to cut 12 pounds. At 140, hard to predict. Depends on how much of Pac there is left and how hard it would be for him to make 140.

2 mins ago he was saying he wants ggg for pac. He's just promoting the current fight. Still...it's better he says it than he doesn't.

Not much hype for the Vargas fight I take it

lazboy wrote:2 mins ago he was saying he wants ggg for pac.

Since when did Freddie Roach ever say this? Bob Arum said this in jest, but not Freddie Roach, surely?

Surely below 147, Crawford is the obvious choice

davie wrote:Surely below 147, Crawford is the obvious choice

Yeah that's a fight is love to see.

I'm in Vegas this week and have seen nothing about pacman fight at all..

Posters everywhere for mcgegor fight and he is fighting in New York..

Stuarty30 wrote:

davie wrote:Surely below 147, Crawford is the obvious choice

Yeah that's a fight is love to see.

I think they will avoid fighting Crawford. Roach said himself he doesn't like that match-up. Bad style match-up for Manny. Lomo would be a good alternative, and much more winnable imo than Crawford.

Lomachenko just moved from featherweight to 130 pounds and ppl already want him to fight Manny. Relax ppl, he has the biggest fight of his career coming up against Walters. Even though I consider Loma a favourite in that fight, that is still a close fight.

If Manny beats Vargas he will most likely fight Crawford next. That is pretty much confirmed as long as Crawford beats Molina.

Enlightened-One wrote:

lazboy wrote:2 mins ago he was saying he wants ggg for pac.

Since when did Freddie Roach ever say this? Bob Arum said this in jest, but not Freddie Roach, surely?

I may have mixed that up. I can't find it anywhere other than Arum saying it.

Funny that at the same time, they want Pac vs Canelo who is the same size as Golovkin.

boxing_rocks wrote:Funny that at the same time, they want Pac vs Canelo who is the same size as Golovkin.

I'd love to see pac punch holes into canelos chode body.

Pac is not fighting Canelo or GGG. Get a grip.

Badhusker wrote:

Pac is not fighting Canelo or GGG. Get a grip.

Ruthless-RKO wrote:Roach wants Manny Pacquiao vs. Vasyl Lomachenko!

Is anyone really surprised about Freddie Roach wanting to match his fighter, a man that has competed as a welterweight (or even 154lbs) for the last seven years, against a relative novice that has only competed above 125lbs once?

Roach's normal name dropping to help promote a fight that he knows most don't want to see. Articles about a rematch with Floyd, fighting Canelo, GGG, Lomo. He's talking more about them than the fight coming up.

He'd better not look past Vargas though. Who knows, it may be a better fight than most of us think. If Manny struggles with the light hitting Vargas, he will retire...unless he fights Lomo. No way he fights Crawford unless his performance is very good and confidence high.