Juan Manuel Marquez will be the easiest opponent for Manny Pacquiao's comeback fight: Freddie Roach

Manny Pacquiao is set for a comeback fight early next year once he fully recovers from a torn rotator cuff that he suffered against the newly retired undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May. While several reports claim that Pacquiao could fight former sparring partner Amir Khan in 2016, Freddie Roach suggested that the former eight-division titlist take on the “easiest opponent,” which is reportedly Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao has yet to pick his opponent for next year, but Top Rank Promotions boss Bob Arum has already come up with a five-man list of possible opponents for the Filipino boxing icon. The list includes Khan, Terence Crawford, Kell Brook, Lucas Matthysse and Marquez.

Khan is the leading candidate to fight Pacquiao in 2016, with Arum already in talks with the British fighter’s camp. "I'm not saying necessarily that the negotiations will be successful, although I believe that everybody is negotiating in good faith. While those negotiations are going on, I'm not going to discuss any other opponent for Manny Pacquiao,” Arum told the Telegraph.

While an opponent like Khan would certainly draw excitement from boxing fans, Roach said that Pacquiao should consider an easier foe in his comeback fight, which could mean a fifth clash with Marquez. “Out of those names, I want the easiest fight for Manny and we can get back on track,” Roach told Boxing Scene. “So I think he’s the easiest opponent of those guys.”

However, Marquez said he has no intentions of fighting Pacquiao for the fifth time. The Mexican fighter knocked out Pacquiao in the sixth round of their match on Dec. 12, 2012. Marquez’s decision to not fight Pacquiao is widely expected considering his dominant performance against the Filipino boxer in their last match.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s shoulder rehabilitation from a shoulder injury appears to be going well. After undergoing an MRI scan for his right shoulder, Pacquiao posted a picture on Instagram, saying that he is having a “very good progress” toward recovery.

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