Whom will Pacquiao fight next?
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 12 Sep 2021
It appears that Sen. Manny Pacquiao isn’t done fighting. The talk is Pacquiao will figure in a farewell bout, a gala performance, in December or January. Before his recent match against Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas, Pacquiao intimated that he’d like his last fight to be in the Philippines, preferably in the Philippine Arena where over 50,000 fans may be accommodated. But if pandemic conditions persist, Pacquiao may sing his swan song elsewhere, possibly in the US or the Middle East.
We asked fans in social media to pick Pacquiao’s next opponent and here are some of their answers. @mike.coner: Rematch Ugas, unfinished business. @the_shogun: For his last fight, he has to bring it all! His A-game and shut Ryan Garcia’s mouth or a friendly bout against Canelo. @berm_16: My perception on it as a fan is that pro boxing is taken more of a regulated sport and not just a show to earn revenue … that all players are given equal chance to advance without the influence of promoters.
@unimultiverse: Give us Mannyverse! One night of Pacman, Barrera, Morales, Marquez, De la Hoya! @joe02211: MP vs MM Part 5? @win_santiago: Ugas rematch. @erwin37mgutierrez: If Manny decides to fight once more, it should be a Yordenis rematch. @foramen_ovale: Mikey Garcia would be nice. @jelojel02: PacquiaoUgas2 … Resbak Pilipinas Puso. @chrismart2101: Huwag na lumaban Manny … wala ng dapat patunayan. @imjonathan_8891: I don’t know why people want the Senator to fight Josh Taylor. That’s a very bad matchup for Pacman. I think a rematch with Ugas will make sense with 100% focus on the match, no distraction, proper conditioning and recovery program at his age.
@ser.sakk: I’d like to see him fight Josh Taylor. @junjunsarreal: An exhibition fight with various opponents would be nice. Less risk of injury but like a farewell concert, would still be good entertainment. No one wins or loses but everyone will have a great time. @janexonovic: Marquez fight should be great exit. But doubt Marquez will agree. @denzelwatch: Get the bag, last fight vs. Jake Paul, he’s the biggest name in boxing right now, he is the pay per view. @midnite.walker: Retire. @chozeeny2000: I’m in the camp who say the Senator and Pambansang Kamao has nothing to prove and concerned about his long-term health with the threat of CTE and effects of all those years of battling with other elite boxers. He should hang up his gloves that represented the Philippines well. I don’t think the need for money is an issue but maybe it’s that fire that elite athletes have inside even if the body is passed its peak. He’s still on the Mount Rushmore of Philippine sports and a beloved and respected worldwide boxing icon. May not always agree with his politics but still very grateful to him that he literally put the Philippines on the map at the turn of the century and became our living symbol of strength and tenacity despite overwhelming odds. Most Filipinos who have traveled abroad to or from Australia, all of Asia, Europe and the Americas, have that moment when a local----upon hearing the word Filipino----would blurt out Manny Pacquiao.
@warchief728: Do you think a farewell fight against Josh Taylor at 140 pounds can be an option? @jhameszzy: Ugas. @_rob.4: Exhibition match. @kix_tagram: Ugas rematch with no cramps. @herculesherky: A fight with Josh Taylor at 140 pounds para sa akin, Pac was never a unified champion. Josh Taylor has all the belts. @mabs.lising: You don’t have to prove anything, you have proven yourself, just retire. @raisesungarcia: One last great extravaganza.
There seems to be a consensus that Pacquiao should take on Ugas once more for the opportunity to exact revenge. But some fans also expressed a preference for Taylor, the Scottish fighter with an 18-0 record, including 13 KOs. Taylor, 30, is a 2012 Olympian who holds the WBC, WBO, WBA super and IBF superlightweight titles. He is set to stake his undisputed recognition against Jack Catterall in Glasgow on Dec. 18.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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