PACQUIAO'S EXHAUSTIVE FOUR-FIGHT GLOBAL TOUR PLAN MAY AFFECT SENATE DUTIES
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 13 Jan 2017
When Manny Pacquiao's fight with Jeff Horn has not yet been finalized as to venue, purse and other details, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum announced a four-fight plan this year for the fighting senator dubbed as the "farewell tour."
The WBO welterweight title fight has been scheduled in April 23 Australian time. Arum would want Pacquiao to fight in Russia or Middle East in July, England in September and Las Vegas, Nevada in November.
The finale would be against Terence Crawford, the WBC/WBO/Ring light welterweight champ. But in between there would be a lot of choices like Kell Brook, Amir Khan or WBA light weltwerweight champion Ricky Burns or even Vasyl Lomachenko.
But the main drawback of the four-fight global tour is the performance of Pacquiao as a senator of the republic. As what he always promised to his constituents that his boxing would in no way interfere his senate duties.
For the record, the last time Pacquiao fought four times in a year was in 2001, and that's 17 years ago when he has fresher legs and more active reflexes.
In February 24 that year, he fought Tetsutora Senrima of Japan and won by TKO in Antipolo City. In April 28 he knocked out Wethya Sakmuangklang of Thailand in Kidapawan City.
He became a world champion that year when he floored Lehlohonolo Ledwaba of South Africa three times enroute to a 6th round TKO win. He was a late substitute for the injured Enrique Sanchez with only two weeks preparation. It was his first U.S. assignment and the venue was no less than MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada.
And in November 10, 2014 he clashed with Agapito Sanchez to a technical draw in San Francisco, California.
From then on Pacquiao fought only two or three times each year. The last time he fought three times was in 2008 against Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz and Oscar de la Hoya.
He climbed the ring only once in 2013 against Brandon Rios following a ferocious KO from Marquez. He faced only Floyd Mayweather in 2015 because of a right shoulder injury.
Let's be realistic. Pacquiao is already 38 years old. In the event the four fight sked pushes through by the time he faces Crawford in November or December, he will be too exhausted. More if he will attend to his legislative duties like sessions and hearings.
It seems that Arum is milking the eight-division world champion a lot. He should look also at the physical welfare of his top grossing fighter. And he should think that Pacquiao has promised to prioritize the mandate given to him by the Filpinos more than anything else.
Pacquiao's schedule would be less tight if he fights twice this year and two times in 2018 before finally hanging up his gloves. Anyway his term as senator will still expire in 2022.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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