MANILA, Philippines – Gusto ni Bob Arum ng Top Rank Promotions na ilaban si Manny Pacquiao kay British star Amir Khan sa susunod na taon sa Middle East.
Ngunit hindi ito kinatigan ni chief trainer Freddie Roach.
Sinabi ni Roach na mas tatangkilikin ang laban nina Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs) at ni Mexican-American Danny Garcia (31-0-0, 18 KOs).
“I want Danny Garcia, that’s my choice. That’s the easiest fight in the world, you can tell his dad (Angel Garcia) that as well,” sabi ni Roach.
Kumpiyansa rin ang Hall of Fame trainer na kayang pabagsakin ni Pacquiao si Garcia, ang kasalukuyang World Boxing Council at World Boxing Association light welterweight titlist, kung maitatakda ang kanilang laban.
“Pacquiao will knock Garcia out. I like the dad but he talks too much,” gigil na wika ni Roach.
Nauna nang sinabi ni Arum na pipilitin niyang plantsahin ang banggaan ng 36-anyos na si Pacquiao at ng 28-anyos na si Khan.
Hindi pa man ito naaayos ay may estratehiya nang iniisip si Khan, dating sparmate ni Pacquiao sa ilalim ni Roach.
Sinabi ni Khan na gagayahin niya ang game plan ni Mayweather na tumalo kay Pacquiao via unanimous decision noong Mayo 2.
Tiniyak naman ni Roach na magaling na ang right shoulder injury ni Pacquiao at handa na itong makipagsuntukan.
“Manny’s shoulder is getting better. We had a little trouble with the rehab because he didn’t want to come to American so we got a guy to go out there (to the Philippines) and work with him every day,” wika ni Roach.
Noong Mayo 7 ay sumailalim si Pacquiao sa surgery sa kanyang kanang balikat.
“He tells me it feels better, he went swimming the other day, he’s playing a little basketball so he says it’s coming along fine. But it won’t be a while until he’s in the ring again, three to six months,” dagdag pa nito.