Philippines, 19 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Who's next for Pacquiao?


PhilBoxing.com




Exactly a week ago last Sunday in the Malaysian Capital City of Kuala Lumpur, Manny Pacquiao floored World Boxing Association welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse thrice on the way to a seventh round stoppage and gifted himself a piece of the 147-pound jewel.

That was the Filipino fighting senator?s first inside the distance win in nine years since technically knocking out Miguel Cotto in 12 rounds in 2009 in the process crowning himself the welterweight kingpin for the first time.

That, too, signalled his return to the elite group of big-timers and the possibility of fighting for big-time money denied him by a streak of losses that relegated him, momentarily, to the list of has been fighting for mere crumbs.

"I'm still here," Pacquiao declared minutes after denying the Argentine of his crown only six months after winning it. "Sometimes you just need to rest and get it back, and that's what I did. I?m back."

?The journey continues,? one of the placards displayed during the post-fight press conference said. The victory was his 60th in 69 fights of his 23-year professional career. And his 39th via stoppage, proof that Manny still has a lot left in his tank.

That no one ever doubted the would-be outcome surfaced weeks or even months before the KL sleeper as to who the Filipino eight-division belt-owner will be facing next.

Pacquiao has yet to reveal his preference for his next opponent after disposing off Matthysse, but his body language as of late seems to point to Briton Amir Khan as tune up for bigger titleholders.

Even his Australian strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune has sounded interested in seeing the Pacman square off with Khan, for the several years has been craving to meet the three-time Fighter of the Year, whom he used to spar.

Khan?s huge following in the boxing-crazy United Kingdom and big-moneyed Middle East countries were reasons Fortune advanced in choosing Khan as his pupil?s next dancing partner, preferably in London.

This bout is dependent on the outcome of Khan?s coming fight on September 8.

Fights against Keith Thurman, who holds the WBA 147-pound title, IBF champion Errol Spence Jr or WBO king Terence Crawford have also been mentioned as potential big pay days for Pacquiao even if there?s the possibility of him losing.

Crawford (33-0, 24 KOs), also a Top Rank fighter, looks the easiest for the Filipino legend to make although the biggest fight for Pacquiao now is against Vasyl Lomachenko, boxing's pound-for-pound No. 1.

Loma, who is scheduled to fight in November or December, though needs to be convinced to step up from lightweight (135-pound) to catchweight for him to fight the 147-pounder Pacquiao.

Pacquiao has previously talked of fighting Ukraine's Lomachenko (11-1, 9 KOs), who is also promoted by Top Rank.

A rematch with Jessie Vargas, whom Pacquiao out-pointed two years ago, is possible, too, but the American is next behind Pacquiao in the WBA rankings and at No. 3 with all four world governing bodies.

A farewell fight in the Philippines, where Pacquiao last fought 12 years ago, against a benign opponent would be a fitting farewell for a boxing legend and spare him from defeat against a younger opponent.

But that would have to come later. Retirement is far from the Pambansang Kamao?s mind at this time.

Following his disappointing performance against Pacquio, Matthysse, at 35, may never fight for major title again and, therefore, is out of the picture for a rematch.

The same goes to Australian Jeff Horn, who beat Pacquiao in a highly questionable unanimous decision last year in his own turf Brisbane.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Pacquiao and Barrios Make Weight: Final Hurdle Cleared for Blockbuster Saturday Night
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • Usyk Registers Career-Heaviest Weight as Dubois Looks Ready for Undisputed Rematch at Wembley
    , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • Rodriguez vs. Cafu Unification Clash Set for Frisco, Texas; All Fighters Make Weight
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • LOPEZ VS. VARGAS WEIGHTS FROM PECHANGA RESORT CASINO
    , Sat, 19 Jul 2025
  • “Bambol” Tolentino in Las Vegas: Supporting Filipino Athletes and Pacquiao
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Unstoppable: Team Philippines Storms Into Davis Cup Finals After Qatar Sweep
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Blu Girls Stumble Against Taipei, Look to Regroup vs. Hong Kong
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Fighting for clean sweep
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • WBA No. 2 Heavyweight Contender Michael Hunter Is Ready to Take on World Champion Kubrat Pulev; All Systems Go for Purse Bid Winner Don King
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Weights from Panama City; WBA Women's Interim Superfly Title at Stake
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated prospect Pryce Taylor Working hard to join Brooklyn’s Elite list of top heavyweight boxers
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Justin Goossen-Brown Set to Make DAZN Broadcasting Debut This Friday at Boxlab Promotions’ Night of Champions in Orlando
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Davis Cup Team Sweeps Kuwait to Stay Unbeaten in Group IV
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Pacquiao Promises Surprise Against Barrios
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • PACQUIAO VS. BARRIOS UNDERCARD MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Rosaupan rules Pasay rapid chess championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Blu Girls Fall to China in Nail-Biter, Slip to 5–2 in Asia Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • The 19th Thousand Island Cup Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on August 3
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 18 Jul 2025
  • Pacquiao’s Legacy in Motion: PacMan contra El Azteca
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Blu Girls Crush Singapore 13-0, Set Sights on China in Asia Cup Showdown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Laylo, Dableo to play in Baguio Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Pacquiao Shines in Final Press Conference: Can The Pacman Defeat Father Time and Barrios? (Analysis & Prediction)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • More lucrative fights await Manny Pacquiao
    By Leo Reyes, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Rumors about Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025
  • Tapales, Laurente to help Inoue against MJ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.