Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent: Still a riddle to be solved – Boxing News
Contrary to the usual, former WBO welterweight titlist, Manny Pacquiao has not announced his next opponent yet, even though he is scheduled to fight on November 10, just two months away. While most fans are hoping for the Filipino star to reveal whom he
is going to fight, the Filipino is instead busy with his political and social working career.
Last week, news of Pacquiao helping the poor to rebuild their houses surfaced and this week his conflicts regarding the free health planning facilities to poor emerged. It appears as if the Pac-man is hardly any more interested in his boxing career, which
is a dismay for his fans worldwide.
On the other hand, Pacquiao’s trainer Bob Arum of Top Rank is eager to know what the former titlist is planning. Earlier this month, news of Arum flying to the Philippines emerged. Arum flew off a week back and probably will sit with the fighter anytime
soon to discuss the November 10 showdown.
It should be noted here that this is not the first time both of them are meeting for the discussion. Last month, Pacquiao met Arum and demanded a fight against WBC welterweight titlist Floyd Mayweather. However, the Hall of Famer promoter declined Pacquiao’s
request, saying Mayweather will be out of jail by the end of August and that during his absence nobody from his camp will make the commitment, since Mayweather makes all his decisions himself.
In an interview with ESPN.com earlier this month, Bob Arum asserted, “I gotta tell Manny what I can afford for each fight and we need to talk about each fight, but he makes his own decision.”
He added, “I've talked to him once earlier in the summer and he's been thinking about what he wants to do. He's going to fight on Nov. 10, but we'll spend some time talking through everything and getting everything ironed out, and then I talk to the opponents
and try to make a deal.”
When asked about Mayweather, Arum commented, “I have had no signal from anybody on his side that he would be back so quick for a fight Nov. 10. I would think if we can make a deal it would be in the spring, in April, after March Madness.”
Sources are indicating that Pacquiao will settle down for a rematch against Timothy Bradley, the current WBO welterweight champion. According to Pacquiao legal adviser, the Filipino is more inclined to settle scores with the unbeaten American instead of
going for a fourth match against Juan Manuel Marquez.
Arum has three opponents in mind for Pacquiao right now: Miguel Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather. Since the possibility of a fight against Mayweather is highly unlikely, Arum wants Pacquiao to select from either Marquez or Cotto instead of
going for a rematch against Bradley.
According to Arum, fans were disappointed to see Bradley win, even when the fight was completely in Pacquiao’s favour. The Hall of Famer believes a rematch against Bradley would not sell as good as a rematch with either Cotto or Marquez.
As of now, nothing is certain regarding Pacquiao’s next opponent. There are chances that the Filipino icon might want to talk to Mayweather before making a decision. After all, Pacquiao has repeatedly claimed that he has promised his son he would fight Mayweather
before retiring from the sport.
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