HOLLYWOOD – Freddie Roach thinks it’s unwise for Manny Pacquiao to get back in the ring as early as four or five months from now.
The veteran trainer believes a long rest is necessary for the boxing superstar given the manner he lost against Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez in their fourth meeting last week in Las Vegas.
“You get hit with a shot like that, and maybe you had a concussion. I wouldn’t be thinking of a fight until maybe September,” said the 52-year-old Roach at the Wildcard gym on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) where business is back following Pacquiao’s shocking sixth-round knockout against Marquez.
“That’s my idea of the soonest.”
Before flying back to the Philippines, Pacquiao declared he’s ready for an April ring return, adding he didn’t suffer any major damage despite absorbing a vicious one-punch knockout from his longtime Mexican rival.
But Roach, who described the Filipino’s knockout loss as "scary," put his foot down and said it would be for the good of his most prized boxer to take his mind off boxing for a while.
“In my opinion, I believe he should get some rest. He doesn’t have to rush it.”
Roach however, bared he already had initial discussion with Pacquiao on what course of action they will take in light of the Filipino’s first knockout loss since 1999 against Medgoen Singsurat in Thailand.
“I got to talk with Manny and we had a great conversation on what’s going to happen next, and right now how he feels. We haven’t completely decided, but we have a good idea.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph