Philippines, 01 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


FANS WISH PACQUIAO HAPPY EXIT


PhilBoxing.com




(MAN WITH GOLDEN HEART: American William ?Bill? Austin will receive the distinguished Golden Cross Award from the University of Santo Tomas tomorrow, Nov.27, for immense contribution to humanity. Austin, founder of the Starkey Foundation, has been donating 10,000 hearing aids annually to needy Filipinos for the last five years. Austin spreads goodwill in other parts of the world.)

**

IT was surprising how majority of Filipino boxing fans did not show enough interest about the monumental world middleweight boxing championship in Las Vegas, Nevada over the weekend. Many Pinoy boxing diehards were either not too interested or, if ever aware, did not go out of their way to follow the delayed telecast of the big bout on Sunday.

Of the few who managed to watch the colorful confrontation between Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto, their immediate reaction was to compare the young Mexican superstar to our own Manny Pacquiao. The popular local view: Alvarez cannot compare to Pacquiao. There was the feeling that Alvarez, big and strong, but slow and limited, would?ve been easily beaten by Pacquiao, who knocked out Cotto in 2009.

**

Regarding Pacquiao?s scheduled final bout on April 9, the side-street feel among the mingling masa was that the eight-division world title winner should take extra caution in naming his next opponent.

There are three boxers, namely one-time world title winner Amir Khan, reigning WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley, unbeaten world light welterweight king Terence Crawford, for Pacquiao to choose from.

A report earlier this week said Pacquiao, back from an extended foreign tour, should be able to name his next foe within the week; although a previous report by Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times said the farewell foe for the Filipino boxing superhero might not be announced until next January.

**

Anyway, a random poll by this reporter bared widespread apprehension over the reported preference by trainer Freddie Roach for Crawford (27-0, 19 KOs) as Pacquiao?s final foe before he calls it a career.

For the record, Roach had initially stated that Crawford, fresh from the successful defense of his world 140lbs. crown, could prove too ?strong and hungry? for Pacquiao.

At the time of the Roach warning, it was Khan, a former Pacquiao stablemate under Roach, who appeared ahead in the race to land a rich bout against Pacquiao.

**

Roach however had a change of mood and later decided to recommend Crawford as Pacquiao?s farewell opponent.
Roach was quoted as saying, ?Crawford could fight a little bit more, while Khan could run a little bit more.?

Khan continued to claim he had the better of Pacquiao during training in Baguio City years back.

Roach maintained it was actually the other way around.

**

Meanwhile, it was not clear if Crawford, viewed as a dangerous opponent, has jumped ahead of Khan in the bid to square off with Pacquiao.

Out in the busy wet market sports hub regularly visited by this reporter, there was the gut feel Crawford could indeed cause Pacquiao some trouble, if not total unhappiness.

Not to say a fight with Khan would be trouble-free. But there were knowlegdeable fans who also believe it would be wiser for Pacquiao to retire ahead, instead of take a big risk against the younger, strong, tigerish, crafty Crawford.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • ‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.