Manny Pacquiao’s November 5 comeback fight with reigning WBO welterweight champ Jessie Vargas, while a solid fight, has not caught fire with the majority of fight fans. Pac-Man, who will end the retirement from boxing he announced after his rubber-match win over Tim Bradley in April, is a fighter fans will always want to watch, but it was hoped he would face a bigger, more marquee name than Vargas in his return – Terence Crawford for example (a match-up that could still happen next year some time).
HBO, who televised many of Pac-Man’s greatest hits, will not be showing the November return bout, and promoter Bob Arum now has the job of finding a network that will carry the fight. Currently in The Philippines, Arum told RingTV.com that as soon as he returns to the states he will be working on finding the fight he himself says will be a great fight a home. It’s possible, Arum said, that the fight could end up being televised by either Showtime (HBO’s major rival of course), ESPN or a Turner network. It’s unclear how many fans will be eager to tune into the fight wherever it is shown.
It would be a shock if Pac-Man were to lose, almost as big a shock as it would be seeing the former eight weight king boxing on ESPN; with Teddy Atlas doing the commentary! Showtime will likely land the fight – “I haven’t spoken to them,” Arum said of the network. “But there would be no impediment to that. When I get back next week, Stephen (Espinoza) will be one of the guys I’m calling” – but wouldn’t it be great if ESPN got the gig.
Of course, when a fight has less than great expectations upon it, the action can surprise everyone and turn into classic material. Maybe we are underestimating Pacquiao-Vargas as far as its excitement level. Vargas will come to fight, we know that. How much has Pac-Man got left? Judging by the dominant performance against Bradley just over four months ago, the 37-year-old has plenty left. Can Pacquiao get his first KO win since 2009, or will Vargas push the superstar turned senator all the way?