Rumours Pacquiao is in line for a second bite of the Mayweather cherry continue to be fuelled throughout the media, with a date of May 6 in Las Vegas currently favoured for what would be another massive pay-per-view event.
At 37, Pacquiao has proven he can still rule the welterweight division, and with convincing victories over Timothy Bradley and Jessie Vargas in 2016, the Filipino Senator has cemented his place as the best pound for pound fighter on the planet once again.
Winning world titles in eight weights and only losing to Mayweather in a four-year period that included wins over a quartet of world champions means Pacquiao is enjoying a resurgence at the top of the sport.
A tame first effort against his arch rival was quickly acted on by Pacquiao after he underwent surgery on an injury shoulder dating back five years. Roach now believes his man has the tools in place to use his skills better to compete with Mayweather if an agreement can be reached to go again next year.
“I was little disappointed in the Mayweather fight. Manny thought he still won the fight. But he could’ve hit him a little more decisively and used his power like he knows how,” Roach told the Philippine Star.
“He really, really has to be more offensive, throw more combinations. He’s single-punching a little bit too much now, just relying on one shot at a time. He needs a flurry with the combinations like he used to.
“If that Manny Pacquiao shows up, he can beat Mayweather and anyone else in the world,” he added.
‘MayPac II’ remains under something of a cloud due to the disappointing lack of engagement in May 2015 when the pair broke box office records by staging the most lucrative bout of all time.
Lowering the PPV price, coupled with adding some needle into the build-up should solve that problem, although Mayweather and Pacquiao will still have to settle for taking home a smaller paycheck once the dust settles.
No doubt Mayweather will want a nine-figure cheque in his dressing room just for lacing up the gloves again, whilst Pacquiao should be able to command at least £40m up front for yet another title defense.
More is set to be revealed in the coming weeks, with a final decision to be made on the contest in the New Year.
