By Miguel Rivera
Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach would like to see eight division champion Manny Pacquiao avenge his decision loss to Jeff Horn - and then retire from the sport.
Pacquiao, who turns 40 years old later this year, was in action earlier this month when he dominated and stopped Lucas Matthysse in seven rounds to capture the WBA "regular" welterweight title in Malaysia.
It was Pacquiao's first bout since his July 2017 decision loss to Horn in Brisbane, Australia. Many ringside observers felt Pacquiao had done enough to getthe win.
Pacquiao parted ways with Roach earlier this year, after 16 years of working together.
The fight with Matthysse was handled by Pacquiao's best friend and assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez.
According to some of Roach's recent statements, the veteran trainer said he was upset that Pacquiao had not spoken to him since the loss to Horn.
But, Roach now states to reporter Carlos Narvaez that he's actually spoken to Pacquiao - who in the aftermath of his most recent win had expressed real interest in reuniting with his old coach.
"I talked to Manny and I told him that he looked good. I think his opponent tried to pack it in early. He couldn't handle Manny's pressure," Roach said. "It was a good fight for him. We have had several conversations where we have talked about working together.
"I'm very busy with my boys right now. With fighters like Alberto Machado. The truth is I'm happy with the 16 years I was next to Manny. He is already 39 years old. He still has good speed and power. But father time does not forgive and we all get slow.
"Horn would be a good fight to finish [his career]. But the names they are talking about out there [Vasyl Lomachenko and Terence Crawford], I think they wouldn't be the right opponents. I think that I wouldn't like those fight for Manny."