Philippines, 18 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Let?s watch Manny?s next title fight


PhilBoxing.com




IT COULD all seem like an open shot on the hardcourt, not from the three-point area, but from the foul line?two to make only one.

Manny Pacquiao is a solid overwhelming favorite in his challenge to WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas on Nov. 5.

The bout has received, and continues to receive, adverse publicity after HBO bluntly refused to distribute it on pay-per-view. HBO has called the title bout ?unappetizing.?

* * *

Top Rank Inc., as neatly reported by columnist Percy Della, who first contacted allies in the Los Angeles Times, has approached Turner Sports, ?and plans to pursue talks with ESPN and Showtime.?

So who wants, who needs, the still un-labeled title bout, miles away and ages apart from a make-or-break showdown?

Pacquiao until yesterday has remained untouched as a 10-1 favorite among Las Vegas bookmakers.

* * *

?No way, hindi ko panoorin, it?s all for money, kuwartahan nalang,? cried tall and burly Jun de Jesus, former member of the Mandaluyong-based Jose Rizal U Heavy Bombers.

Out in the city wet market sports hub, nobody wanted to talk about the next Pacquiao bout; the buzz instead centered on today?s scheduled showdown between Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez (47-1-1) going for the WBO junior middleweight title of Englishman Liam Smith (23-0-1) in Arlington, Texas.

Anyway, columnist Della also noted that Pacquiao?s next title outing is not going to be at the Las Vegas MGM Grand, considered boxing?s mother church.

* * *

?Instead, it is going to be in a small chapel?the Thomas and Mack Center, a few miles from the famous Las Vegas Strip,? the commentary noted.

Don?t go away. The situation is not totally hopeless, irrelevant.

Wrote Joaquin Henson, The Dean: ?Pacquiao has more to lose than Vargas in their title bout. If he loses, it will kill his hopes for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. for another big payday and end his dream of retiring with a title. A loss to Vargas will tarnish his reputation and put a sad footnote to his career.?

* * *

Correct. Despite the odds, the disparity in experience and power, we should all go out and support Senator Pacquiao in his next fight.

Let?s go see Manny fight and score an easy triple from the foul line, for a few million dollars more.

One final request. Team Pacquiao should also be told to cease going after critics who said Pacquiao was doing the Vargas fight for the funds of it. For the record, it was Bob Arum who categorically stated Pacquiao was fighting again ?because he needs the money,? during the premier promoter?s last visit to the Philippines.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Dainier Pero Locked In Ahead of WBA Continental USA Title Defense in Orlando
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • A Milestone Birthday: Celebrating Brico Santig's 50 Years of Dedication, and Triumph
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • PH bet Chezka Centeno finishes 2nd in Florida
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • LEIGH WOOD OUTLINES PLAN OF ATTACK FOR SOLD OUT REMATCH AGAINST JOSH WARRINGTON
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Cain Velasquez released from a California State prison
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Patrick Rivera wins Pacman's Cue Club 10-Ball Tournament; pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor Fighting again in Detroit this Sunday on Claressa Shields’ card
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES Gabriela Tellez Ready to Make a Statement This Friday in Orlando
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • “The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
    , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 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.