Pacquiao, 35, has decided to fight at 144lbs for his upcoming clash with Chris Algieri and is ready to move back down to light-welterweight if a bout with Mayweather fails to materialize for the umpteenth time.
Danny Garcia is the current unified ruler of the lower division, but is said to be contemplating a move up to 147 himself, although would probably stay put if a fight with Pacquiao came calling next year.
“I’ve been waiting three-and-a-half years for this (Mayweather) fight. I don’t think it’s going to happen,” said Roach in Macau.
“Arum says it might happen but can they deliver Mayweather? I don’t think so. You know, if it was going to happen I think it would have happened by now. I want it to happen as badly as you guys.
“If Manny feels good in this fight at 144 then I think his next fight will be at 140 because he makes 140 very easily. First fight back? Danny Garcia. That’s my personal opinion,” he added.
First up for Pacquiao is a relatively unknown quantity in the rangy and undefeated Algieri at Cotai Arena on Saturday – where any slip-up would be a disaster for the Filipino at this point in his career.
Rumours that Mayweather is ready to negotiate for a long-awaited encounter with the ‘Pacman’ would be put to bed once and for all with a defeat, although the smart money this weekend seems to be on an impressive stoppage for the eight-weight world champion – which would be Pacquiao’s first in five years.
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Manny Pacquiao v Chris Algieri is live on BoxNation in the UK on November 22 (into November 23) at 1.30am. To subscribe click BoxNation. US viewers can see the fight on HBO PPV
