ROACH SAYS THERE ARE BETTER FIGHTS FOR PACQUIAO OTHER THAN MAYWEATHER

Are there any better fights out there for Manny Pacquiao other than a showdown with undefeated Floyd Mayweather? Freddie Roach seems to think so. In a recent interview, Pacquiao’s world-class trainer revealed that although he would prefer to take on the challenge of being the first to defeat Mayweather, there are a number of other fights that would be much more entertaining for the fans. “You know, there are fights out there that are actually better than the Mayweather fight because they are more exciting,” Roach explained. “Mayweather, he’ll run from Manny and run and run and run. He’s doing that before he gets in the ring.”

It’s a valid point that Roach brings up. As the old saying goes, styles make fights and it’s no secret that, as good as he may be, Mayweather has yet to provide the type of scintillating performances that Pacquiao produces time and time again. “Everyone in the world wants the Mayweather fight, including myself and Manny,” Roach would tell Gabriel Montoya of Maxboxing.com, “But the thing is I’m not going to lose sleep anymore. Whoever they put in front of us I’m happy with as long as it’s a legitimate opponent.”

The question is, what makes for a legitimate opponent. Thus far, besides Mayweather, the only other options that have been mentioned for Pacquiao are Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto. One fighter, Cotto, was already thoroughly dominated by Pacquiao and the other, Margarito, is still trying to get himself licensed in the United States after being banned and disgraced for attempting to use illegal handwraps. While both fights would likely give fans an opportunity to witness another thrilling beatdown by Pacquiao, does either fighter really deserve an opportunity to step in the ring with the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet?

Personally, I don’t think so. While I agree that, stylistically, there are much more exciting matchups that can be made for Pacquiao, I don’t think it’s justified to give Miguel Cotto an unnecessary rematch or Antonio Margarito an unwarranted title shot. If you’re going to give fans a fight that’s more exciting than a Mayweather bout, at least make it meaningful. Rumor has it that undefeated WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto is still looking for a dance partner and, in my opinion, a welterweight unification between he and Pacquiao will be much more exciting and a lot more meaningful than any other option that has been discussed thus far.