The possibility of the Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao rematch dubbed the "Fight of the Century 2" is getting closer to reality with boxing observers believe will likely happen late next year.
Boxing Hall of Famer and seven-time trainer of the year Freddie Roach, told the IBTimes that he recently talked with Pacquiao who assured him that he is recovering from his surgery after his shoulder was injured prior to his May 2 mega-fight against Mayweather.
"I talked to Manny. His shoulder is feeling better. I talked to the doctor that's helping him out in [Pacquiao's hometown] General Santos. They say he's doing well," Roach said and added that he wants Pacquiao to schedule a tune-up fight first before engaging Mayweather in another bout.
"I want Danny Garcia, but I'd like to see that as maybe the first fight back to make sure everything is O.K.," Roach said.
According to Roach, the undefeated Garcia, who has a 31-0 win-loss record and coming from a fresh knock-out victory against Paulie Malignaggi on Aug. 1, would be an easy victory for Pacquiao.
In an article written by Leo Reyes for Digital Journal, he predicted that the possibility of a rematch between Mayweather and Pacquiao could happen in late 2016 if the Filipino boxer wins in next year senatorial election.
Pacquiao earlier commented he would quit boxing and focus on his political career should he run and win in the 2016 senatorial race in the Philippines. Pacquiao is currently serving as a congressman in one of the towns in southern Philippines.
"I'm still thinking about it (running for senator) because once I am elected as senator I have to give up everything, including boxing, and focus on my job as lawmaker," said Pacquiao after early surveys showing him as a possible winner in next year's senatorial race.
The odds that Mayweather will step into the ring again to fight Pacquiao gained momentum after Wednesday press conference to promote the Mayweather vs Andre Berto scheduled on Sept. 12. While Mayweather insisted that the Berto fight would be his last, he later commented that his future in boxing remains uncertain.
Mayweather said during the press conference "This is my last fight," but he quickly followed with another statement saying, "Nobody knows what the future holds."
The lure of another hundred million dollar pay-off will likely entice Mayweather to dance with Pacquiao in the ring again. Their May 2 bout, dubbed as the Fight of the Century, generated Mayweather an estimated $220 million in earnings and broke all pay-per-view (PPV) records in boxing history with more than 4.4 million PPV buys.
