Roach here to train Manny for Vargas tiff

MANILA, Philippines – Freddie Roach flew in from Los Angeles early Tuesday morning. By sundown he was inside the ring with Manny Pacquiao preparing for yet another fight.

They’re back doing what they’ve always loved doing the past 15 years – when only last April the Filipino superstar said he was retiring from the sport.

Roach was not surprised at all.

“It was no surprise to me. Boxing is very difficult to give up. It’s a very addictive sport. Once it’s in your blood it stays there for a long time,” said Roach.

Pacquiao is scheduled to fight WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas on Nov. 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Technically, it’s a comeback fight because following an impressive win over Tim Bradley last April, Pacquiao announced his retirement.

Pacquiao said he wants to focus on his duties as a senator. But barely three months after retiring, he announced his return to face the 27-year-old Vargas.

Roach watched Pacquiao spar four rounds with American super-lightweight Jose Ramirez, who also flew in Tuesday, and another two with Filipino Leopoldo Doronio.

Even after the Bradley fight, Roach felt Pacquiao still had good fights left in him. What he saw at the Elorde Gym the other day kept him feeling the same.

“There’s still a lot of fights left in him. If he was washed up I’d be the first one to make him retire believe me. But he’s not nearly washed up,” said Roach.

The celebrated trainer worked the mitts with Pacquiao like they never stopped doing it.

Strength coach Justin Fortune was also at the gym packed with Pacquiao supporters and rah-rah boys, and said the eight-division champion is doing great in training.

If Pacquiao has slowed down a notch, Roach can’t feel it yet.

“He’s still very sound fundamentally. He’s very good. He hasn’t lost his step anywhere. We’re not done yet. We have more (fights) out there,” said Roach.

Veteran sports analyst Ronnie Nathanielzs then dropped Floyd Mayweather’s name, and Roach’s eyes lit up like a rematch is coming up.

“He’s (Mayweather) come to my gym three times the past three months for some reason. I’m getting curious,” said Roach.

Like Pacquiao, he’s dying for the rematch with Mayweather, who’s also enjoying retirement – for now.

“Me and Manny would always love to get that one more time. Hopefully it happens. We’ll see. It’s possible,” said Roach, adding that it will all depend on this Vargas fight.

“The better we look in this fight the better chance we have of getting him back in the ring. Manny’s mind is set on an impressive win. We just can’t win on points,” he said.

Roach agreed that there’s a lot of money to be made with Mayweather, and yet he said there’s more than just the money involved.

“To give Mayweather his first defeat will be like really, really joyful,” he said.