Roach not surprised with Pacquiao comeback

MANILA, Philippines – Freddie Roach said he was not caught off guard by news of Manny Pacquiao’s planned return to the boxing ring.

In a recent interview with Steve Kim of boxingscene.com, Roach insisted he always knew that his prized ward would fight again.

“100 percent yes,” Roach told Kim when asked about his certainty of a Pacquiao comeback.

Roach recalled Pacquiao telling him he felt good about fighting on after dominating Timothy Bradley last April, despite announcing his retirement afterwards to focus on politics.

 “Manny told me after last fight he felt really good. He looked really good in the fight and he said 'Freddie, I'm going to fight a couple of more times.' That was before he left for the Philippines. So I already knew, this isn't a surprise to me," the multi-titled trainer added.

Now a Philippine senator, Pacquiao will reportedly step on the ring again on November 5, with his promoter Bob Arum already booking the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas as the venue.

Roach, for his part, welcomes the schedule.

“This is a little bit sooner than I thought but the thing is, we like that date,” he continued.

No opponent has been announced, although unified WBC and WBO super lightweight champion Terence Crawford is a strong candidate for Pacquiao.

Crawford routed Viktor Postol, who incidentally was trained by Roach, last Sunday to make a strong case for a showdown with Pacquiao.