Manny Pacquiao’s advisor Sean Gibbons doesn’t want to see his client box Mario Barrios again.
The 46-year-old came desperately close to becoming the second oldest world champion in boxing history on Saturday night when he was held to a draw by WBC welterweight title holder.
While both men expressed a willingness to run back the fight in the immediate aftermath, Gibbons, who has helped guide Pacquiao’s career for a little under a decade, feels there are more appealing options elsewhere.
“I don’t see why Barrios again. There’s Rolly Romero, ‘Tank’ Davis. Why do it again?” Gibbons told BoxingScene.
“Mario Barrios doesn’t draw anything and brings nothing to the table but that belt.
“Rolly Romero would be an unbelievably fun fight and one hell of a promotion.”
A fight with Gervonta Davis may be a genuine possibility now that his rematch with Lamont Roach is seemingly in jeopardy.
The target date has been pushed back three times, while Roach believes it won’t happen.
“He is scared. I ain’t going to lie,” said Roach during a recent live stream.
Romero could also prove to be an interesting proposition.
The former WBA super lightweight champion is coming off a career-best victory over Ryan Garcia in May and is at the peak of his popularity right now.
Romero currently holds the lesser WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title, which isn’t considered a full world title by most corners of the boxing world.
However, it would certainly make for an interesting build-up and should sell well.
Gibbons anticipates that Pacquiao will take a month off before jumping back in training, with eyes on a return to the ring at the back end of this year.
“I was blown away. It was like he never lost his speed,” added Gibbons.
“He’s not that Manny Pacquiao, with the classic legs.
“But if you fight a guy like Rolly, whose feet stay in cement, Manny will look vintage. Same with Gervonta, who’s not a real big mover.
“He didn’t make history because they robbed him of it, but it was an incredible feat.
“No one in the smaller weights does this. This was the night it should’ve happened. Not in December.”