Roach wants US for next Pacman fight

MANILA, Philippines - The venue of Manny Pacquiao’s next fight depends on who the opponent is.

If it’s somebody like Juan Manuel Marquez or Ruslan Provodnikov, there’s no better place but the United States – not necessarily Las Vegas.

Bob Arum of Top Rank has his eyes on Macau for Pacquiao’s next fight. The legendary boxing promoter has also set a date which is Nov. 23.

But with no opponent to name.

“They talk about fighting in China, if these big fights happen, they got to move the location,” Freddie Roach, still the hottest trainer out there, told The Sweet Science.

Roach said Pacquiao against Marquez or Provodnikov “are big fights in America, and on pay-per-view.”

The other fighters being considered as next for Pacquiao are Amir Khan and Danny Garcia.

“I think they would bring it to America, depending on the opponent. If a China fight does come off, with a high quality, tough-tough fight like against Ruslan, they don’t know who Ruslan is over there,” Roach added.

Marquez remains to be the biggest fight out there for Pacquiao, but the Mexican who continues to defy age, is asking for the moon.

Reports said Marquez, who turned down $12 million to fight Pacquiao a fifth time in 2013, now wants $20 million even if he knows he’s not going to get it.

Even if Marquez goes down to $10 million, Pacquiao is not expected to jump in.

Bruce Trampler, Top Rank’s matchmaker, said a fifth fight with Marquez is going to be “a very expensive fight.”

“Manny would fight Marquez but Marquez is at a point where he wants to get his biggest payday. He wants the money that Manny wants,” Trampler told The STAR in Macau two weeks ago.

Trampler also said a Marquez fight “will be more suited for Americans for the pay-per-view portion.”

But with Marquez, the issue is more about the price, not the venue.

They can get Provodnikov inside the ring for $5 million or even less – and draw a bigger interest than a Marquez fight.

Provodnikov would fight Pacquiao anywhere in the US.