Boxing News: Hall Of Fame Trainer Bats Pacquiao Will Only Face Top Boxers

Manny Pacquiao has achieved more than enough in his boxing career.

But at some point, critics feel that the Filipino boxing icon may entertain the thought of possibly facing "aspiring boxers" for money or charity.

All that may potentially happen once Pacquiao hangs up his gloves. Some see that happening soon although other feel that the legend has plenty to give.

On that note, Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach declared that Pacquiao will only face the best fighters available for now.

This somehow douses water on any potential crossover between the famed boxer and mixed martial artists--or social media influencers.

"That sport [of MMA] is a little bit different, it's just not boxing. Manny does not have any interest in fighting an MMA fighter, he wants to fight the best fighters out there," Roach stated to The Sun via Boxingscene.

Conor McGregor was someone that allegedly almost came close to facing Pacquiao in a potential boxing match.

However, all that went down the drain when “The Notorious” lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 last January via technical knockout.

Moreover, the vocal Irishman is recovering from a a leg injury that will keep him on the sidelines for a couple of months.

The earliest possible time that McGregor may return is 2022. But by the time that happens, Pacquiao may have already retired and ventured into other things.

As early as now, Roach is standing pat that Pacquiao is not planning to face another guy from another sport.

At 42 years old, Pacquiao remains a force in the ring, which endears him to many members of the combat sports community. This includes Brave CF middleweight champion Mohammad Fakhreddine.

Fakhreddine lauded Pacquiao’s boxing philosophy when he appeared on the Sports Bytes PH podcast hosted by Brian Yalung and Rica Aquino.

“I respect Manny [Pacquiao] for that reason because he goes in there for war. He goes in there, stands and trades with hits with everybody,” the MMA fighter stated.