Multiple-time trainer of the year Freddie Roach is confident that Manny Pacquiao can defeat reigning WBO super featherweight champion and Ring magazine number 3 pound for pound fighter Vasyl "Hi-Tech" Lomachenko.
This was after news started circulating around the internet that Pacquiao is very much interested in facing the Ukranian and that negotiations between the two are taking place. Rumors of arrangements were quickly shot down by Lomachenko's camp, however.
Roach recently told boxing website Boxing Scene that his ward can answer Lomachenko's amazing movement and athleticism, but for him to pull it off, he has to set aside his political duties and focus solely on training.
"But the thing is we need a real good training camp and we need him to get out of being a senator for a little while," Roach said. "You've got to concentrate and be really, really prepared for this fight and you have to be aggressive in this fight because [Lomachenko] does have great footwork but if you press him hard enough and so forth."
Lomachenko, on the other hand, says that he is amazed that he is being considered to face a ring legend, who he describes as a "big name and a top fighter," but he also thinks that a matchup with such a gap in size and weight does not make any sense as both fighters would have to make big adjustments just to make the fight happen.
"The only question is which weight category the fight could take place in. The Filipino belongs up to the light-middleweight division (up to 66.7 kg), while I only try to switch to lightweight (up to 61.2). If I go for light-middleweight, it will be irrational and illogical – at least in terms of physiology." Lomachenko said in an interview.
He also says that a win over Pacquiao, who is already past his prime, will not do much in terms of building his own legacy.
"Me and my father, we both just know it (fighting Pacquiao) will not give me anything," he finished.
