Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach didn't sound too excited when it comes to talking about Pacquiao's chances of coming out victorious in a potential fight against former unified junior welterweight world champion Terence Crawford.
Roach is in New York City to be in the corner for Miguel Cotto, another fighter he trains, for his WBO junior middleweight title fight against Sadam Ali on December 2. Roach also talked about the possibility of Pacquiao fighting Crawford in 2018, but Roach was hesitant to say he feels confident about Pacquiao's chances of beating Crawford.
Both Pacquiao and Crawford are promoted by Bob Arum's Top Rank. Arum has been hoping to make that fight happen for some time and Crawford has expressed interest in fighting Pacquiao.
"Arum wants Pacquiao to fight Crawford. I'm concerned about that fight. That is a tough fight. Crawford is a young guy and Manny is a bit older and has had his best days behind him. I will still train him and get him ready for that fight if it does happen. He still has that power and we will try and get ready for that fight [if it does happen]," Roach said.
Pacquiao's currently busy with his senator duties in his native Philippines and there is no exact timetable for when he could fight next. Pacquiao was supposed to fight current WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn in a rematch from their first fight in July in which Horn won.
Crawford last fought in August, defeating Julius Indongo to unify all four major world titles at junior welterweight. Shortly after, Crawford vacated his titles to move up in weight and is now the mandatory challenger to the WBO title. Crawford is expected to fight the winner of the Jeff Horn vs. Gary Corcoran fight set to take place in Australia on December 13.
