OUTSIDE LOOKING IN: "Las Vegas, here I am, again -- Pacquiao"
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 20 Oct 2018
With his next fight with Adrien Broner almost done, ring idol and senator Manny Pacquiao braces himself for his return to the United States to defend his World Boxing Association welterweight title against his American challenger from Cincinnati.
The soon-to-be 40-year-old Pacquiao last fought in U.S. soil almost two years ago on November 5, 2016, when beat Jessie Vargas via unanimous decision to reclaim the World Boxing Organization version of the 147-pound crown at the Thomas and Mac Center in Las Vegas.
The Filipino legend, according to a very reliable source, and Broner collide on January 19, or nearly a week after the Philippine Senate would have resumed session following Christmas recess.
The same source said details of the fight like venue, purse, etc will be discussed and finalized on November 7 between representatives of Pacquao?s own outfit, MP Promotions and Broner?s handlers.
After which, the official press conference where the bout will be announced will be held in New York where the two-city press tour, which includes Los Angeles, will end.
Pacquiao had actually made the announcement on Thursday during an appearance at a news conference in Manila for the non-profit International Sports Promotion Society, which named him an ambassador.
In his announcement, the eight-division word champ said he would be fighting Broner next, either on Jan. 12 or Jan. 19. In Las Vegas, the source with knowledge of the deal, however, told ESPN the fight would be Jan. 19, not Jan. 12, though a fight likely wouldn't be formalized until both the champ and challenger had affixed their signatures on the dotted line.
And that will come, precisely, on November 7 during the signing of the long form contract.
About a fortnight ago, Pacquiao was reported as to have signed with adviser Al Haymon, the Premier Boxing Champions founder who controls several named welterweights, including Broner as well as world titleholders Errol Spence Jr., Shawn Porter and Keith Thurman.
Haymon also works with Floyd Mayweather and should Pacquiao hurdled Broner, he would set him up for a potential spring rematch with Mayweather.
Pacquiao and Haymon were on opposite sides when Pacquiao lost a decision to Mayweather in their 2015 welterweight title unification mega fight that shattered every combat sports revenue record, including for pay-per-views sold (4.6 million), overall revenue (about $600 million) and live gate ($72 million).
In mid-September, Mayweather and Pacquiao met in Tokyo, after which Mayweather announced on social media that he was coming out of retirement again and would fight Pacquiao in December. The December date is not happening, but they are on track to meet in the spring.
In that event, Pacquiao mentioned that Mayweather would fight somebody on Dec. 31 and that he would fight in January in an effort to set up the rematch. However, a source close to Mayweather said he was not going to fight in December.
The Filipino great?s last two fights have been held overseas. In July 2017, in the fight that kicked off the Top Rank/ESPN partnership, Pacquiao lost the title by controversial decision to Jeff Horn in the later?s hometown of Brisbane, Australia, in his final fight with Top Rank as his promoter.
After a year off, Pacquiao returned this past July and knocked out Lucas Matthysse in the seventh round -- Pacquiao's first KO since his 2009 victory over Miguel Cotto to win his first welterweight title -- to win a secondary welterweight belt that he will defend against Broner.
During his media appearance in Manila, Pacquiao (60-7-2, 39 KOs), who turns 40 in Dec. 17, said he is hoping for another convincing knockout when he faces Broner. "If I can finish it earlier than seven rounds, why not," Pacquiao said.
Broner (33-3-1, 24 KOs), 29, of Cincinnati, who has won world titles in four weight classes, is 0-1-1 in his past two fights, having lost a clear decision to Mikey Garcia in July 2017 followed by a draw with Vargas in April.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
MIEL FAJARDO READY FOR YOHANA IN EXCITING WBO 112 GLOBAL TODAY IN TANZANIA
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Dec 2024Today! Paciones, Yanong, Zamora, Soledad Ready for Action in Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Dec 2024LERASAN, KASSIM, MAKE WEIGHT FOR WBF 118 BELT IN TANZANIA
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Dec 2024IIEE Metro Central scores 24-24 standoff versus IIEE Western Visayas in the 3rd D’ Engineers Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 26 Dec 2024Ortega wins Laguna chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 25 Dec 2024Paciones to fight Li in Bangkok on Dec. 26
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 24 Dec 2024Antonio Vargas Seeks Showdown with WBA Bantamweight Champion Seiya Tsutsumi
Tue, 24 Dec 2024FIGHTBOOK ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL LAUNCH IN EARLY 2025 AND OPENS PRE-REGISTRATION FOR PROFESSIONAL BOXERS
Tue, 24 Dec 2024IBA investigates possible integrity violations at the ASBC Asian Boxing Championships in Thailand
Tue, 24 Dec 2024NM Ilar rules 7th Nova Onas Rapid chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 24 Dec 2024Where Have All THE Heavyweights Gone?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 23 Dec 2024World-Ranked Contenders Jayson Mama, Joey Canoy, and Esneth Domingo Scheduled to Return on December 27 in Kalamansig
Mon, 23 Dec 2024Beltran loses by KO in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 23 Dec 2024CATTERALL COLLIDES WITH BARBOZA JR AT CO-OP LIVE ON FEBRUARY 15
Mon, 23 Dec 2024Elite and Youth Champions Named to Conclude the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships
Mon, 23 Dec 2024