Manny Pacquiao boxing news
For a while, it looked as though superstar Manny Pacquaao’s next fight would take place in Australia, however, it now seems definite Pac-Man will box in the UAE; either in Abu Dhabi or Dubai – at least this is the word according to Pacquiaio’s long-time advisor Michael Koncz.
Koncz put a message up on Pac-Man’s official social media channels, saying “See you in UAE for my next fight.”
Though superstar Manny Pacquiao has expressed interest in having another fight, a fifth battle, with Juan Manuel Marquez, Marquez has quite unequivocally put an end to such a notion. Marquez, now aged 43 but still interested in fighting again before his retirement, told ESPN Deports how he will not fight Pac-Man again – not even for the incredible sum of $100 million!
Bob Arum’s idea of having superstar Manny Pacquiao box four times this year was always an overly optimistic bit of planning. Four times a year just doesn’t happen these days, not for a huge marquee name. Look at Gennady Golovkin; last year he wanted to engage in four fights, or three at least, yet he managed just two wins.
And factor in Pacquiao’s age and his time-consuming political chores, and there was no way he’d box four times. So how many fights does the reigning WBO welterweight champ feel he will have here in 2017 as he closes in, probably, on retirement? Quoted by Ring, Pac-Man and his advisor Michael Koncz say the 38-year-old will have two fights – one in April, the other in October or November.
Superstar Manny Pacquiao’s next fight is still up in the air – recently, Pac-Man said he didn’t even know who possible foe Jeff Horn of Australia is – but one fight from his recent past remains uppermost in Manny’s mind. Or so it seems.
Talking to Fox Sports, the former multi-weight king and reigning WBO welterweight champ spoke about “The Fight of The Century” with Floyd Mayweather from May of 2015. Pacquiao insists that he was deserving of the decision after the 12 rounds had been completed; that he won the highest grossing money fight in history by “two or three rounds.”
Superstar, living legend, future Hall of Famer and all time great (yes, he’s definitely all four) Manny Pacquiao recently gave an interview in which he stated how he feels he has “three, maybe four fights” left inside him. Pac-Man, a truly special fighter who has achieved so, so much, is 38 and he could be gone, perhaps should be gone and retired, by the age of 40.
But if Pacquiao does have four more fights before waving goodbye to the prize ring and fully committing himself to his other passion, politics, who should his opponents be? No disrespect to Australia’s Jeff Horn, but wouldn’t it be great, and fitting, if this unique fighter fought four big fights before leaving us?
Superstar Manny Pacquiao will turn 40 in December of 2018, and Pac-Man says 2018 is the year in which he will probably call it a (boxing) career. Pacquiao, who looked excellent in his last two fights – commanding decision wins over Tim Bradley and Jessie Vargas – is soon to embark on a “world tour,” at least according to his promoter Bob Arum, and a fight in Australia looks likely for April – against unbeaten contender Jeff Horn.
However, according to a piece ABS CBN News, who quote Pacquiao from his recent appearance on the “Fast Break” radio show, this fight is not yet finalized. Pac-Man has yet to hear from Arum regarding the confirmation of the Horn fight. This of course does not mean it will not be Horn next, but until the official announcement comes – from both Pacquiao and Arum – nothing is, well, official.
With superstar Manny Pacquiao set to see out the remainder of his great career overseas, on a “world tour” according to Bob Arum, fighters from countries such as Australia – Jeff Horn, next in line to challenge Pac-Man – and the UK are anxious for a shot at the southpaw.
And, according to Eddie Hearn who spoke with Sky Sports, talks have begun for a fight between Pacquiao and Kell Brook. Brook, who has not yet fought since his brave but ultimately painful loss to middleweight king Gennady Golovkin, says an all-British super-fight with Amir Khan remains his priority, but that a fight against either Errol Spence or Pac-Man could happen this year.
It might be partially due to the reported $20 million Michael Koncz says Manny Pacquiao wants guaranteed for the fight, but Pac-Man will NOT be facing Terence Crawford this year. So said Bob Arum when speaking with The Manila Bulletin.
Instead, the Top Rank boss wants to take Manny on the road – possibly as far afield as Australia or the Middle East. Arum says the Crawford fight could still take place, in America, but not in the first half of 2017.
Bob Arum has spoken about his desire to see Manny Pacquiao fight Terence Crawford and Freddie Roach, while acknowledging the fight would be a tough one for Manny, says it could happen. But yesterday, in speaking with The Manila Bulletin, Pac-Man’s right hand man Michael Koncz put a potential spanner in the works by stating how the Filipino superstar will only agree to a fight with the unbeaten pound-for-pounder if he is guaranteed a whopping great $20 million payday.
Promoter Bob Arum is hugely excited about Vasyl Lomachenko, the incredibly talented former amateur sensation (perhaps one of the greatest amateur boxers in history at 396-1). Arum, who has seen it all in boxing over his almost 90 years, remains enthusiastic about the sport because of special fighters that come his way – and Arum says Lomachenko is very special.
Indeed, the Top Rank boss recently said Lomachenko is the best he’s seen in the sport since the incomparable Muhammad Ali. Arum has big plans for the reigning WBO super-featherweight champion. At just 6-1 and already a two-weight champion, the slick and wickedly powerful southpaw is a future superstar, says Arum. This Saturday’s defence against puncher Nicholas Walters could be looked at as a risky assignment for “Hi-Tech,” as Lomachenko is known, but it would be a massive upset if “The Axe Man” scored a win.