Freddie Roach is still hoping that Manny Pacquiao will get another shot at Floyd Mayweather Jr. The Hall of Fame trainer said in a recent boxing news he is aching to see a healthy Pacquiao collide with the unbeaten former world champion.
Both fighters have already announced their retirement but are continuously being linked to a possible rematch. Mayweather retired after winning against Andre Berto in September last year, while Pacquiao decided to call it quits after his unanimous decision victory over Timothy Bradley in April.
However, Roach told Boxing Scene that he is still interested in training Pacquiao for a rematch with Mayweather. The veteran boxing coach pointed out that Pacquiao did not have a good shot at beating the former pound-for-pound king in May last year because of his injured shoulder.
"Mayweather is a good fighter," Roach said. "I would like Manny to fight him again."
Mayweather, who retired with a perfect 49-0 record with 26 knockout victories, ran away with a unanimous decision win over Pacquiao in their record-setting showdown. However, Pacquiao revealed that he had a hurting shoulder during the fight and eventually went under the knife.
Fans are still hoping that the Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch will happen soon. However, Roach admitted that the chance of striking a second fight between the two boxing superstars got slimmer after Pacquiao won a senate seat in the Philippines.
"I'd like Manny to have one more fight - that is no secret," Roach said. "But the thing is, with Manny being senator I'm not sure if it would be too time consuming to be able to do that right now."
Pacquiao was a congressman when he fought Mayweather, but Roach reiterated that being a senator is a greater responsibility, especially after Pacquiao vowed to try to have a perfect attendance in the senate. Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum also admitted in another report in Boxing Scene it will be difficult for Pacquiao to fight again after becoming a senator.
"That's an obligation that he has," Pacquiao said of the Filipino boxing icon's duty as a senator. "And that obligation does not include taking off for six weeks and coming to LA, and training for a fight."
Pacquiao, the only boxer in history to win world titles in eight different divisions, retired with a 58-6-2 record with 38 knockout victories. Watch Pacquiao's career highlights below.