Roger Mayweather inside of the Mayweather Boxing Club (Photo: Chris Robinson – www.HustleBoss.com)
By Chris Robinson
Following his unanimous decision victory over Brandon Rios last weekend, the future again seems bright for former pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao.
The Venetian Resort’s Coati Arena in Macau, China played host to Pacquiao’s ring return following his disastrous knockout at the hands of Juan Manuel Marquez last year, as he peppered Rios all night with sharp combinations while displaying his trademark speed of hand and foot.
Veteran trainer and former two-division world champion Roger Mayweather was able to take a minute to assess the Filipino icon’s future moving forward during a recent conversation at the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas.
“I know he aint going to fight Marquez again,” Roger revealed. “I guess he probably have to go back and fight somebody.”
Like much of the boxing public, Roger has had great interest in seeing a fight between his nephew Floyd and Pacquiao.
And while the Marquez loss took some of the luster away from that dream matchup, Roger still thinks it could and should happen if Pacquiao can avenge his June 2012 loss to Tim Bradley.
“He can fight Bradley; that’s a good fight for him,” Roger stated. “Timothy Bradley is a good fight for him. I think he’s going to give Pacquiao problems anyways. The thing of it is, hey, it’s going to be a good fight. One way or the other it’s still a good fight.
“And people are going to point to that as a thing to fight Floyd,” Roger added. “That’s the kind of bout that would bring Pacquiao back. Because Timothy Bradley’s got a good name.”
Pacquiao’s loss to Bradley was very controversial and Roger feels in a second encounter he needs to make sure that it doesn’t go to the scorecards.
“Obviously he’d have to stop the guy in order for [people] to say ‘you got a chance with Floyd,’” Roger said.
PLEASE CHECK BELOW for more all-access Pacquiao vs. Rios coverage…
Floyd Mayweather Sr. not impressed by Brandon Rios: ‘The guy can’t fight!’
Rashad Holloway believes Pacquiao must beat Bradley or Marquez convincingly for a Floyd fight
Is Mikey Garcia telling Top Rank that he wants to fight Pacquiao? Claims he’d stop the Filipino star
Adrien Broner takes shots at Brandon Rios: ‘I guess he was busting nuts all afternoon in China’
Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini: ‘Alex Ariza should be kissing Freddie Roach’s ass!’
Tim Bradley says he dominated Marquez; only has intest in facing Mayweather or Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios Official Weigh-In from Macau, China [11.22.2013]
Sugar Ray Leonard gives his quick take on Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios
Tim Bradley talks Pacquiao vs. Rios: ‘Freddie Roach always plays mental games’
Roy Jones Jr. – ‘Pacquiao is clearly the better boxer; Rios is clearly the better brawler’
Marco Antonio Barrera believes that Manny Pacquiao’s movement will be key against Rios
Freddie Roach sees flaws in Floyd Mayweather’s game and hopes Pacquiao can one day face him
Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com