Freddie Roach is no longer looking at Floyd Mayweather Jr. as Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent should the Filipino pound-for-pound king get past Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand on May 2.

“I didn’t want to fight Mayweather next because he’s a boring fighter,” Roach told British paper Morning Star during Pacquiao’s whirlwind visit in Hatton’s hometurf – Manchester and London.

“We need the best fighters fighting each other because of other sports competing with us. If we win, I don’t have a lot of interest in fighting Mayweather,” said Roach.

Roach has another reason.

“Even if you beat him, you look bad doing it. Mayweather is very skilled. I don’t like his style. He’s a runner but is a great boxer,” said Roach, now all set to start training Pacquiao for the Hatton fight.

Reports coming out of Pacquiao’s three-day visit to the UK said his promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, has mentioned the name of Miguel Cotto as Pacquiao’s possible opponent.

Cotto, who took the first and only loss of his career against Antonio Margarito, bounced back with big knockout of Englishman Michael Jennings two weeks ago.

Cotto won the WBO welterweight champion, and called on the winner of the Pacquiao-Hatton fight to face him next. An internet report said a Cotto-Pacquiao could be bigger than a Hatton-Pacquiao.

Pacquiao said he wants to fight two more times after Hatton, before he could finally call it a day, and hinted that his farewell fight could be at 140 or 147 pounds or anywhere in between.

Pacquiao recently relinquished the WBC lightweight (135 pounds) crown he took from David Diaz last June.

Hatton, entering his third week of training for the Pacquiao fight, said bigger fights will come his way if he beats the Pinoy icon. One of those fights is against Mayweather.

Mayweather dealt Hatton the only loss of his career.

“There’s him and I’d be a liar if I said I don’t think I can get another crack at Floyd Mayweather Jr.,” said Hatton.
(philstar.com)

Multi-awarded Filipino rap icon Francis Magalona has passed away at the Medical City in Mandaluyong around noon today. He was 44.

According to TV reports, this was announced by actor Vic Sotto in the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga, where Magalona used to be one of the hosts.

Magalona, considered as a major pillar of rap music in the country, was diagnosed with leukemia in August 2008. He is survived by his wife Pia Arroyo and children Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr., Elmo, Arkin, Clara, and actresses Maxene and Saab