Roach says Pacquiao-Marquez III a possibility

Juan Manuel Marquez’s dream to fight Manny Pacquiao a third time may happen after all.

Trainer Freddie Roach on Friday said he is open to pitting his prized ward Pacquiao against Marquez in another showdown in March 2010 to settle the old score between the two rivals. But unlike comebacking Floyd Mayweather, Jr. who insisted on meeting the Mexican warrior at a weight beyond his comfort zone (welterweight), Roach said Team Pacquiao would set the possible Pacquiao-Marquez III at 140 lbs, the Pacman’s IBO light-welterweight belt on the line. “I think Marquez is small at 147 lbs and he is at his best at 140 lbs. So we will fight him at 140 lbs with the title at stake," Roach said during the SCOOP sa Kamayan forum in Manila. The Hall of Fame trainer wants to see his ward silence Marquez once and for all. Pacquiao and Marquez fought in 2004 and 2008 with the first fight ending in a draw and the second bout seeing the Filipino champion winning by split decision. Marquez has since publicly claimed he beat Pacquiao in both outings. “He (Marquez) has been crying a lot and I want him shut up. I really believe Manny can knock him out when they meet (again)," Roach said. Mayweather Jr. is also a fight Roach wants to see for his pupil next year, although he admitted it will be hard to seal the deal since “Mayweather wants all the money." “It will be a dream come true if we can fight Mayweather and Marquez. If that happens, there is nothing more to prove for Manny and we can all retire," Roach said. But for the two dream fights to materialize, Pacquiao must first win over WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto – a scenario that Roach predicted will truly happen on November 14 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. “Cotto is a strong, clever boxer who has a powerful left hook and is solid when his opponent is on the ropes. But we have prepared for everything that Cotto will bring into the ring. Manny's speed and power will be more than enough to handle the bigger Cotto," Roach said. - GMANews.TV