Manny’s last fight in Philippine Arena?
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 05 Mar 2021
The plan is for super WBA welterweight champion-in-recess Sen. Manny Pacquiao to fight twice this year and if socio-economic conditions allow, the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena in Bulacan could be the site of his farewell bout in September. It’s Pacquiao’s dream to make his last appearance in the ring on home soil and he hasn’t fought before his countrymen since outpointing Mexico’s Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum in 2006. Pacquiao’s last 24 fights were held abroad, 20 in the US, two in Macau, one in Kuala Lumpur and one in Brisbane.
But whether the plan pushes through or not is dependent on the pandemic situation, the vaccination roll-out and the business environment. There is talk that Pacquiao will engage Mikey Garcia, a former world titlist in four weight divisions, in Dubai on May 15 but according to MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons, “the Senator has no fight locked in yet.” It appears that despite Pacquiao’s inactivity since his last fight in July 2019, he remains the hottest ticket in the fight game and according to a source with an ear to the ground, “everybody wants a piece of Manny.”
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum is pushing WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford as an opponent in a unification showdown. WBC/IBF welterweight ruler Errol Spence is waiting in line. Undefeated Floyd Mayweather, Jr. may come out of retirement to do a potential megabuck rematch. When Pacquiao ends his “recess,” the WBA will order a fight against Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas. WBC interim lightweight champion Ryan Garcia’s spokesperson Guadalupe Valencia claimed that “Pacquiao’s representatives reached out … to gauge interest” for a fight. MMA star Conor McGregor was up for a duel until his KO loss to Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi last January. With rumors swirling of agents negotiating in Pacquiao’s behalf, Paradigm Sports’ Audie Attar recently issued a statement that “no one outside of Paradigm Sports is involved in any way with the management of Senator Pacquiao’s boxing career at this time.”
Gibbons said jokingly “it’s amazing that 52 guys out there are trying to do a fight for the Senator.” If a deal is sealed for May 15, Gibbons said, “I hope it’s true, more power and God bless.” At the moment, Gibbons said nothing is set in stone. Pacquiao initially said he was given a choice of four dates to consider for his next fight in the Middle East and April 10 was a possibility, two days before the start of Ramadan. Now, May 15 has surfaced as an option and it’s three days after the end of Ramadan. Assuming the May 15 outing materializes, Pacquiao hopes to fight once more in September, the month before the filing of candidacies for the 2022 presidential elections. As president of the political party PDP-Laban, Pacquiao will be involved in the coming campaign. It’s not certain if Pacquiao himself will run for president but in a recent OCTA Research “Tugon Ng Masa” survey, he was a strong third in a list of 12 “most preferred” presidential bets.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024