Freddie Roach speculates on Andre Berto-Manny Pacquiao
Legendary trainer Freddie Roach says he would have no problems with star fighter Manny Pacquiao fighting WBC welterweight king Andre Berto, despite the fact that he admits the younger Berto would pose new obstacles for “Pacman.”
Since Pacquiao’s stunning victory over Antonio Margarito at Cowboys stadium on November 13, boxing insiders have been salivating over the Philippine congressman’s next opponent in the ring.
Sergio Martinez's name has been thrown around, following his spectacular knock-out of Paul “The Punisher” Williams last weekend.
There are big problems with the fight though; while it would undoubtedly attract the boxing world, Martinez is much bigger and has stated he cannot go lower than 154 pounds for Pacquiao.
Team Pacquiao, however, rightfully concerned about Pacquiao fighting bigger fighters, indicated Pacquiao will be staying at the 147-pound limit for the time being.
That leaves three potential opponents: Berto, Juan Manuel Marquez and “Sugar” Shane Mosley, the first of which has been getting increasing attention from Roach.
Roach mentioned some of the pluses in pitting Pacquiao against Berto: “After this weekend, I don't think that Andre Berto has anything scheduled right now. And he's not a 140-pounder, he's a 147-pounder."
Berto, 27, would presumably meet Pacquiao in a unification title match. He would be fighting to retain his WBC crown and win Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight title.
But Roach was also clear to indicate a fighter like Berto would pose significantly different challenges than those Pacquiao has recently fought in the ring. For starters, Berto is genuinely in the prime of his career, while recent Pacquiao victims like
Margarito have been accused of the opposite.
“He [Berto] is youthful, he's fast, and he's strong,” Roach said. “He's not a big puncher I don't think, but he's definitely a challenge.”
While a Berto-Pacquiao match looks good on paper, there are those who believe “The Beast” hasn’t done enough to deserve a shot against the best boxing on the planet.
Berto is fighting Freddy Hernandez on Saturday, in hopes a win will put him in better position for a lucrative fight with “Pacman.”
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