Convinced Juan Manuel Marquez won’t be fighting Manny Pacquiao next, Freddie Roach is now leaning on Sugar Shane Mosley to be the Filipino boxing star’s opponent in his ring return on May 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I pick Mosley myself,” said Roach while waiting for his afternoon flight aboard the private plane of former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson that will take him back to Manila after attending the birthday celebration of Pacquiao over the weekend.

Roach has been vocal about his choice for a third fight with Marquez, whom he wants Pacquiao to shut up after claiming that he twice beat the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter in two closely-fought wars in the last six years.

For the record, the 32-year-old Pacquiao settled for a controversial draw against his long-time Mexican rival in their first fight in 2004, and then scored a highly-contentious split decision in their rematch four years later.

Although a clamor for a third fight has been repeatedly made, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum believes the bout isn’t saleable both in terms of gate attendance and pay-per-view sales.

Besides, Marquez is reportedly asking for a hefty $5 million fight purse and a share in the pay-per-view sales if and when he faces Pacquiao again.

“He already priced himself out of the negotiations,” revealed Roach. “That’s a polite way of saying he doesn’t want to fight us.

“And he’s too small. He wants the fight at 140, but I said no. We want it at 147.”

In a separate interview with Arum earlier, the Top Rank big boss said he’s set for a meeting with Mosley and his representative, James Prince, once he returns to his Las Vegas office this week.

The veteran promoter also said Top Rank president Todd deBoef is scheduled to sit down within the week with Richard Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Golden Boy Promotions which represents Marquez.

But Roach claims it all boils down now between Mosley and reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Andre Berto, whom Arum, meanwhile, said is already out of the picture.

“Of course, the choice is Manny's, not mine,” said the four-time Trainer of the Year.

Although he’s favoring Mosley, Roach thinks the three-time world champion is going to be a tough opponent for his most popular ward.

“Mosley is a tough fighter. He’s got experience and a good puncher, too,” Roach, 50, stressed.

“But Manny and Bob will have to work that out and whoever they get, I’m going to get Manny ready for him.”