Roach Talks Pacquiao’s Title Win, Future

Manny Pacquiao showed signs of his old self back on July 14, when he knocked out Lucas Matthysse to win the WBA “Regular” Welterweight Title and send Matthysse into retirement.

It was the first bout Pacquiao had without longtime trainer Freddie Roach in his corner. The legendary trainer, however, did watch the bout and offered up praises for Pac-Man.

“I thought he looked good in his last performance. I am glad to see the movement he put together. He fought well,” Roach said.

While he doesn’t have much influence in who Pacquiao fights anymore, when asked about who may be next in line for the legendary Filipino fighter, Roach said he wouldn’t mind seeing Pacquiao face WBA Lightweight Champion Vasyl Lomachenko — a fight which has been rumored for early 2019 at a catchweight between 135 and 140 pounds. Roach also warns, however, that with so much young blood entering the boxing ranks and advancing to the top, Pacquiao has to be more selective with picking his opponents.

“Some of the young studs are coming up and Manny is getting a little bit older so they have to be careful who they pick. He is very capable of fighting well like he did in that fight [against Matthysse],” Roach said. “His footwork was great and it was like the old Manny Pacquiao.”

Original Story: Boxing Scene