When is Manny Pacquiao fighting?
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 23 Feb 2018
IF he?s indeed fighting on April 14, as offered by Bob Arum, shouldn?t Manny Pacquiao be back training by now, or hitting the road last week yet?
Top Rank announced it has scheduled a Pacquiao bout for April, side-by-side with the WBO welterweight championship between title defender Jeff Horn of Australia and the unbeaten Terence Crawford from Nebraska.
Pacquiao responded by saying he would be very delighted to clash with Argentine punching machine Lucas Matthysse, instead of the banged-up Mike Alvarado. Matthysse is reigning WBA welterweight champion.
**
Bob Arum cried no way: Pacquiao-Matthysse could happen, but not anytime soon.
So what is Pacquiao doing?
The other day, he was reported doing the political rounds, bringing help and hope to aggrieved countrymen. He also appeared deeply involved nursing and expanding the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), his newest sports baby.
**
If Pacquiao would agree to fight in April, time would be of the essence. March is around the corner, and before we know it, Pacquiao would be left with only a month to work and be fit for a stellar performance.
Maybe he could afford to take it easy. In fact, Alvarado, a former world titlist who?s openly considered busted ring material, is being trumpeted as top prospect for Pacquiao?s first knockout victim since 2009.
Pacquiao could just cram and instantly declare readiness to do battle and go for a KO?
**
Fact is Bob Arum is himself uncertain about Pacquiao?s exact plan.
The best the Top Rank CEO could do was announce Pacquiao could fight a truly big fight by November, either against Vasyl Lomachenko or Crawford.
Of course, there are many experts and fans who wonder it Pacquiao has enough left in him to wage great battle.
The respected boxing critic and scholar Paul Magno has surmised Pacqiao is now the boxing equivalent of the fat Elvis Presley in Las Vegas.
?For all intents and purposes, Manny Pacquiao is now in the fat Elvis Presley period in Las Vegas. The question of whether Pacquiao is still among the elite welterweight in the world is up for debate. Instead, Team Pacquiao, guided by Bob Arum, has focused on Manny as a novelty icon?a draw to longtime loyalists and, if Arum gets his way, a piggyback ride for in-house up-and-coming-fighters,? Magno explains.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Top Rank Presents IBF Lightweight World Championship: Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. George Kambosos
Thu, 09 May 2024Six Title Fights Highlight Spectacular Night of Boxing on Friday, June 7 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; Mikaeljan vs. Rozicki Lead 6 Action Packed Main Event Fights
Thu, 09 May 2024Boxing Continues in EVRAA ORMOC 2024
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 09 May 2024Professional Boxing returns to Tropicana Atlantic City this Saturday night
Thu, 09 May 2024Ryan O’Rourke, Danny Gonzalez, Ronny Reyes and John McDonagh Highlight Packed Undercard This Saturday Night at Paramount
Thu, 09 May 2024Dmitriy Salita Named USBA Promoter of the Year; Salita Promotions’ Izmailov vs. Foster Fight Named USBA Fight of the Year at 2024 IBF Convention in San Juan, P.R.
Thu, 09 May 2024GOLDEN BOY SIGNS NO. 1 WBA-RANKED SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT AND FORMER TEAM USA MEMBER KENNETH “BOSSMAN” SIMS JR.
Thu, 09 May 2024Barrientes Twins, Chavez and Angel, Sign Promotional Agreement with Boxlab Promotions
Thu, 09 May 2024MATCHROOM GROUP AND PITCH INTERNATIONAL STRIKES NEW GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP AND INVESTMENT
Thu, 09 May 2024Filipino sprinter John Cabang sets PH record anew
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 09 May 2024PSL Mindanao Regional Finals on May 24-26
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 09 May 2024OKC, Boston Overwhelm Semis Foes
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 08 May 2024Herlan, Taimoor, Toshihiko, Daeloniel, Daishaun in Action May 11 in Sarawak, Malaysia
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 08 May 2024Stacked “Rumble at the Rink” card announced “Granite Chin Box Off” tournament & Two exciting title fights and hot prospects
Wed, 08 May 2024RMC rules DC-PRISAA Meet
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 May 2024