Manny Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – Although coach Freddie Roach earlier said he wanted his prized ward Manny Pacquiao to retire at the top of his game, he believes the Filipino champ can still fight for 3 years.

In a podcast interview with 8countnews.com’s Brad Cooney, Roach said he thinks Pacquiao really loves the game, and that the boxing superstar is unlikely to hang his boxing gloves soon.

“He loves the fight game, the way he trains, the way he works out, there's 3 more years left in him,” said the boxing trainer, who has worked with the General Santos City native for more than 5 years.

Roach said his ward would very much like to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. if the former pound-for-pound champ makes himself available.

Mayweather is facing “Sugar” Shane Mosley for the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight belt. Pacquiao is the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champ.

“He wants a big fight against Mayweather if Mayweather beats Mosley, [so] he's not going anywhere yet,” Roach said of his prized fighter.

“I like to see Manny retire after Mayweather but even that won't happen,” he added.

Pacquiao has won his last 12 fights, including big ones against Oscar dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto.

‘Not without Floyd’

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao’s adviser Wakee Salud earlier said it’s not yet time for the Pinoy champ to leave the sport, not without the Mayweather fight.

“As long as Mayweather is there, and they haven’t fought, it will be very tough for Manny to retire,” Salud told The Philippine Star.

Salud explained that there’s just too much money to be made in a fight against Mayweather, and with so much hype and attention the projected bout has generated, it just makes it more attractive.

Pacquiao, who has earned $53 million in his last four fights, including the $12 million he got for beating Joshua Clottey last March 13 in Dallas, stands to earn as much as $50 million if he takes on Mayweather.

“The purse will be huge. How can he retire? And aside from the money, the Mayweather fight is the fight that the people will ask for. Manny is a boxer, he’s a fighter. If he is called to a fight, he will fight Mayweather,” said Salud.

“I don’t think he would simply retire.” With a report from The Philippine Star