Freddie Roach is Interested in Pitting Manny Pacquiao against Keith Thurman

Freddie Roach, trainer of Manny Pacquiao for the better part of his boxing career, appears to be not so sold out with the current status quo in which his famous pupil is being settled to fight low-profile opponents alongside a huge cut in purse money.  The possibility of Manny Pacquiao (59-6, 38 KOs) defending his WBO welterweight belt in Australia, against a relatively-unknown local fighter Jeff Horn (16-0, 11KOs), is almost a done deal. Freddie Roach, if he could have his way on Pacquiao's next fight, he would like to choose Keith Thurman (28-0, 22 KOs). Thurman is fresh from getting the WBC welterweight belt from Danny Garcia.

The famed trainer of many world champions is however expressive of his preference of Amir Khan (31-4,19 KOs) as next opponent for the Filipino fighting senator who was dubbed in his heyday as 'The Mexicutioner'for having defeated many Mexican champions.  Prior to the 28-year old Thurman entering the picture, there was already Amir Khan that people were hoping to watch trading leaders with the Filipino fight legend. Khan and Pacquiao were close to sealing a deal for an April showdown but it eventually fell through for lack of funds.

Except for his betraying chin, Amir Khan is certainly a very good boxer possessing in what would qualify as one of the fastest hands in the fight business today. But as fate might have it  that Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan who were classmates a few years back under Freddie Roach may never end up  fighting each other at all.  Which is why when asked about Manny Pacquiao's next opponent, should a sojourn in Australia pushes through, Freddie Roach brought out the warrior from Clearwater, Florida Keith Thurman.

Keith Thurman, who now houses the WBC and WBA welterweight belts, is a knockout artist and presents an aura he could terrorize the welterweight division. But he seem to have a lack in defense, head and lateral movements in particular. Against the evolved Pacquiao, Thurman's scarcity in defense is something problematic and dangerous for him.