Hall of Fame boxing trainer Freddie Roach wants his top fighter, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, to return to the ring in September 2013 instead of April.
“(April) is too soon,” Roach told 710 Radio, as quoted by Boxing Scene. Roach wants Pacquiao to take some time to rest after suffering a brutal sixth-round knockout at the hands of rival Juan Manuel Marquez in their fourth fight last December 8 in Las Vegas.
“We spoke about (his next fight)… I told him that I think he should come back around September, and he agreed with me,” Roach said.
Pacquiao was originally scheduled to return on April 20, 2012 with unbeaten fighter Brandon Rios as a potential opponent.
But because of the brutality of his knockout loss, Pacquiao was suspended by the Nevada State Atheltic Commission for 120 days and is not allowed contact training for 90 days.
Pacquiao walked into a short right hand by Marquez late in the sixth round and crashed face-first to the canvas, where he lay motionless for around two minutes.
The Filipino did not attend the post-fight press conference as he was taken to a local hospital. Though his tests came out negative, Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum has said that he wants to take Pacquiao to a brain specialist for more tests.
No opponent has been named for Pacquiao’s September comeback, though a fifth fight against Marquez remains possible.