By Norm Frauenheim
A Viktor Postol victory over Terence Crawford could lead to a Postol-Manny Pacquiao fight and force trainer Freddie Roach to choose between Postol and Pacquiao.
It sounds awkward. But Roach, trainer for both Postol and Pacquiao, says it wouldn’t be.
“It wouldn’t be the worst position in the world,’’ Roach said Thursday during a conference call nine days before the Postol-Crawford junior-welterweight bout July 23 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand. “I feel like Viktor has done everything to get ready for this fight, to win this fight.’’
“If that does happen, I’ll have to deal with it.’’
The possibility emerged this week amid reports that Pacquiao would fight later this year in his first bout since he was elected to the Filipino Senate a few weeks after his rematch decision over Timothy Bradley in a welterweight bout in April.
Danny Garcia appears to be the leading possibility when — and perhaps if — Pacquiao decides to resume his career. Longtime Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum, who also promotes Crawford and Postol, also said the July 23rd winner could land a shot at the Senator with a spectacular performance.
Postol and Crawford will fight at 140 pounds, which many believe is Pacquiao’s ideal weight.
“If that fight will happen, we’ll then sit down with each team to see how it goes,’’ Top Rank vice-president Carl Moretti said.
Then, Moretti couldn’t resist the chance to deliver a good punch line.
“As far as Freddie goes, it would be great to see him run back-and forth, from corner-to-corner,’’ Moretti joked.
That wouldn’t happen, of course. Roach’s longtime role as Pacquiao’s friend, confidante and corner man dictates that he would be in the Filpino’s corner.
“Me and Manny have been together for 15 years,’’ Roach. “It would be very difficult to go against him, of course. But, you know, I know Viktor is a very good fighter also.’’
If the Postol-Pacquiao happens, Marvin Somodio, Roach’s longtime aide, would probably train Postol.
