Hindi komporme si Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach na isabak kaagad si eight-division world champion at bagong-halal na Senador Manny Pacquiao kay reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) at World Boxing Council (WBC) Junior Welterweight champion Terence Crawford.

Ayon kay Roach, wala sa kondisyon ang Pinoy champion at sa kalidad ni Crawford mahirap para kay Pacman ang magsanay sa maiksing oras.

Itinakda ni Bob Arum, promoter ni Pacman sa Top Rank, ang laban ng Senador sa Nobyembre 5. Nauna niyang naipahayag na isasabak niya si Pacquiao sa mananalo sa unification bout sa pagitan nina Crawford at Viktor Postol.

“It’s a very tough match-up, Crawford showed that he can move for twelve rounds, he can run for twelve rounds. But you know, in-between the running and so forth, when he does land punches he does land really powerful punches. He hurt my guy a lot. I know Postol’s got a pretty good chin,” pahayag ni Roach patungkol kay Postol na kanya ring sinanay para sa laban kay Crawford.

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“So Crawford’s a pretty good puncher, he hits hard and he moves very well and emulates (Floyd) Mayweather quite a bit, I think. I think he’s like a young Mayweather, right now.”

At dahil dito, naniniwala si Roach na hindi muna dapat makasagupa ni Pacquiao si Crawford sa kanyang comeback fight.

Nitong Abril, ipinahayag ni Pacman ang pagreretiro matapos ang unanimous decision win kay Tim Bradley. (Gilbert Espeña)