Thursday, January 03, 2008 Roach eyes three titles for Pacquiao in '08
AFTER Manny Pacquiao fought for fringe international belts in his previous fights, Freddie Roach is eyeing not just one, but three, titles for the celebrated boxer this year.
Roach told www.boxingtalk.com that Pacquiao’s first victim this year will be World Boxing Council super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez in their upcoming fight on March 15 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
After Marquez, Roach wants David Diaz’s WBC lightweight belt and Ricky Hatton’s IBO, IBF and WBC light welterweight crowns.
“I look forward to a huge year for Manny Pacquiao in 2008. We have mapped out three fights this year with Arum, and we will be collecting belts this year, 130, 135, and 140 pounds,” said Roach.
Such bold plan may cement Pacquiao’s legacy as he seeks to fight in three different divisions this year.
“We want Ricky Hatton. Ricky had a great performance against Mayweather. There are certain guys at 140 pounds that I will let Manny fight, and Ricky Hatton is one of them,” Roach added in an interview posted at boxingtalk.com.
Pacquiao is willing to move up to 140 pounds to fight the British sensation who is also open to the thought of slugging it out with the Filipino icon inside the ring.
“Well, a lot has to happen before that, we have to win the big fights at 130, and 135. If we are successful at those two fights, we want Hatton. Hatton said he wants to fight Manny as well,” said Roach.
Meanwhile, promoter Bob Arum was overjoyed that Pacquiao will be training in the United States at the world famous Wild Card Gym, unlike his previous fight with Legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera where he trained most of the time in the Philippines.
Roach has also lined up sparring partners who are good counter punchers for Pacman to train for the Marquez rematch. They will start their training on Jan. 15.
Roach said he will not take the Marquez fight lightly and will be closing the Wild Card Gym to prevent distractions and to refocus Pacquiao for his rematch with Marquez, whom he downed thrice in the first round of their first fight.
“I apologize to the fans, but we have to close the gym down. We are keeping our strategy close to us and the thing is, we are fighting a real smart fighter in Marquez. We are not taking this lightly,” Roach told boxingtalk.com. (EKA)
