PACQUIAO DOES NOT WANT A REMATCH IN AUSTRALIA BUT FIGHT WITH HORN IN THE PHILIPPINES IS REMOTE SAYS ARUM
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 23 Sep 2017
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum told BoxingScene that Manny Pacquiao has definitely turned down a rematch with Jeff Horn if it would be held in Australia. "Pacquiao up to this point made it plain he's not coming over to fight in Australia," said Arum. He also declared that the Pacquiao-Horn rematch would possibly not happen in Las Vegas. "No, he doesn't want to fight in Vegas, either. He wants to fight in the Philippines and with the peso being 52 pesos to the dollar, how the hell is everybody going to get paid, let alone him?"
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The veteran promoter said he is still negotiating with Pacquiao but he has made his position clear regarding the possible venue of the fight. He says the financial aspect will not work for a big homecoming event for the Pacman. "I would love to do a big fight for him in Manila or some place else in the Philippines but the problem is don't expect me to pay for it."
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According to Arum the Philippine government has clarified that they have other priorities other than hosting a major fight on their agenda. The Department of Tourism has promised to help but in cooperation with private sponsors. "The tourism board in the Philippines has told us they'll do everything to help promote the fight except put up money. You've got to respect that," said Arum.
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Horn could be scheduled to fight with another topnotch Top Rank champion Terrence Crawford. The new WBO welterweight champion wants to remain active and have his first defense before the end of the year. "We're going to meet with Terrence and we're going to lay out a plan starting early next year leading towards a welterweight championship match, probably with Jeff Horn," stated Arum.
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Freddie Roach definitely wants Pacquiao to face Horn in a rematch which could occur next year. Freddie knows best what is best for the most spectacular fighter he ever coached. ?I do want him to take the rematch with Jeff Horn,? Roach was quoted by Sky Sports. ?That would be, I think, the best fight for him at this point and it looks like that might happen next year, early next year."
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Roach still has high praises for his most favorite fighter and wants him to target Horn then retire. "He?s close to the end yes, but he?s not finished yet. He is still very dedicated, he works really hard and he puts 100 percent into training every day when we?re getting ready for a fight. I would like to see him retire after that Horn rematch fight because being a senator and a professional boxer is way too much.?
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The multi-awarded coach said they got offers to fight Crawford and some other guys. Pacquiao will have a difficult time if he fights Crawford at this late stage in his career. It is a wise decision for Roach to aspire for a rematch with Horn. It would be the most logical way to be champion again then retire. The fighting senator has a big chance of winning if the fight would be held in the Philippines. But the Pacman camp is doubtful of a victory if the rematch will be held again in Australia.
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Roach would advise him to quit the sports he loves so much to concentrate on his political career. Pacquiao will have a hard time managing his boxing career simultaneously with his duties as a senator. "It's two jobs that are very, very demanding," added Roach. "I would like to see Manny concentrate on being a great senator and then maybe a great president someday."
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In the PBA, Pacquiao formally ended his involvement with the Kia franchise that picked him in the first round as he formally leave the team as reported by SPIN.ph. The Picanto team has been languishing in the cellar after a good start when it first joined the league in 2014 as one of two league expansion franchises. Kia lost all its 10 games in the Governors Cup and it failed to enter the playoffs for the third straight conference.
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Pacquiao was not able to play a game this season and appeared in just two games at the KIA bench as assistant Chris Gavina coached the team. It seems Pacquiao was not happy with the Kia trades that destroyed the nucleus of team that was a quarterfinalist in the Governors Cup last year. The team released Aldrech Ramos, Bradwyn Guinto, Paolo Taha, KG Canaleta, and Alex Mallari. Reports had it that Pacquiao was planning to transfer to Blackwater whose owner Dioceldo Sy was a close friend and partner of the senator.
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Andre Ward retires from boxing at the age of 33. He has held eight world titles in two weight classes, including the unified WBA (Super), WBC, Ring magazine, and lineal super middleweight titles between 2009 and 2015. He won the unified WBA (Undisputed), IBF, WBO, and Ring light heavyweight titles between 2016 and 2017. When he was light heavyweight champion, Ward was ranked as the world's best pound for pound fighter by The Ring magazine and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (TBRB).
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Ward won all of his 32 fights as a professional with 16 knockouts and was a gold medaist at the 2004 Sydney Olympics. He was the last American man to win a Olympic gold. He clarified that his desire to fight is no longer there and his body cannot withstand anymore the rigors of the sport. He won two memorable unification bouts with Russian Sergy Kovalev, the first one by unanimous decision and the second by 8th round TKO.
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"To the sport of boxing - I love you. You've been by my side since I was 10 years old," Ward stated. "Thank you for all the wonderful people I've come in contact with because of you. I've made friends for like. As I walk away from the sport of boxing today, I leave at the top of your glorious mountain, which was always my vision and my dream. I did it. We did it."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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