Philippines, 17 Apr 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Will Manny fight again?


PhilBoxing.com




There’s a lot of buzz in boxing circles about eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao making a comeback in a serious fight, not an exhibition, and from what’s in the air, it appears that he’s not ruling out anything at the moment. The word is Pacquiao will run for Senator in next year’s elections so if he intends to return to the ring, it has to happen soon before the campaign trail rolls out.

Pacquiao, 45, was set to face Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek at Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi last Saturday but the six-round exhibition was postponed or maybe even cancelled for unclear reasons. The so-called “Match of Legends” was penciled for six three-minute rounds with two-minute breaks. Promoters said the winner would get a bonus of $300,000 but declined to disclose the amount of appearance fees. The bout would’ve involved international boxing rules with a catchweight of 155 pounds.

After the fight was announced, Pacquiao went back to the gym to start hard-core training with long-time mitts-man Buboy Fernandez. Then, the postponement was announced. It had nothing to do with Buakaw backing out. In fact, Buakaw, 41, signed for another fight in Kobe, Japan and knocked out Japanese-Brazilian Minoru Kimura at 4:10 of the first round in a kickboxing tussle last March 23.

Because Pacquiao remains widely popular around the world, promoters from all over continue to knock on his door. No doubt, he’s still in demand globally. A proposal to take on undefeated English contender Conor Benn in London was under serious consideration until the British Boxing Board of Control and UK Anti-Doping refused to lift his suspension for testing positive twice for the banned substance clomifene. Benn was slapped a provisional suspension in 2022 but the ban was lifted by the National Anti-Doping Panel last year. Benn fueled the British authorities’ scorn by fighting twice in the US in September last year and last February. The British Board subsequently appealed the lifting of the suspension which was later reinstated, leaving Benn out in the cold. Benn, 27, has a 23-0 record, with 14 KOs.

Another proposal is for Pacquiao to take on former four-weight world champion Mikey Garcia in Saudi Arabia. Garcia, 36, totes a 40-2 record, with 30 KOs and hasn’t fought since losing a majority 10-round decision to Sandor Martin in Fresno, California, in 2021. He has held the WBO featherweight, WBO superfeatherweight, WBC lightweight and IBF superlightweight titles. Garcia attempted to add the IBF welterweight strap to his collection but lost to Errol Spence on points in Arlington, Texas in 2019.

A rematch with Floyd Mayweather remains in the conversation among boxing aficionados but the undefeated Money Man, now 47, isn’t inclined to give Pacquiao a chance for revenge. Pacquiao has often expressed his willingness to face Mayweather once more, particularly since their 2015 duel was inconclusive with the Filipino icon suffering a dislocated shoulder in the fourth round. Despite the injury, Pacquiao went the distance with Mayweather and even as he lost by a unanimous 12-round decision, not a few ringsiders thought he deserved to win. Will Pacquiao be back in the ring this year? It could happen.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Little Pancho: A Filipino Fighter in the Ring, an American Soldier to the End
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Beltran ready to fight in WBC Grand Prix
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Arca stuns English GM, maintains share of top spot in Bangkok Chess Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Melvin’s target is Collazo
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Piala fights Choki in WBC Grand Prix
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • There will be NO DRAWS at the World Boxing Council Grand Prix in Riyadh
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • WBC Boxing Grand Prix set April 17-20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • ROY JONES JR BOXING PRESENTS “FIGHT NIGHT AT THE GILLESPIE” DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE, KY SATURDAY, APRIL 19
    , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Day One of the 2025 USA Boxing International Open Concludes
    , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • LA28 Celebrates Updated Olympic Venue Plan Showcasing the Best of Los Angeles on the World Stage
    , Thu, 17 Apr 2025
  • Memo in Navarrete’s camp
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 16 Apr 2025
  • Dubs Hold Off Grizzlies, 121-116 to Clinch #7 Playoff Spot in the West
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 16 Apr 2025
  • PH Teen Arca Upsets Super GM Gustafsson
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 16 Apr 2025
  • SMITH: I'LL PROVE WHY I'M MANDATORY FOR THE WBC WORLD TITLE
    , Wed, 16 Apr 2025
  • UNDEFEATED STANFORD SENIOR DANTE “THE INFERNO” KIRKMAN RETURNS MAY 24 IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
    , Wed, 16 Apr 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 14 April 2025: Ennis Retires Stanionis in 6, Unifies IBF/WBA Welter Titles; Spencer Defeats Suarez; Pro Boxing Returns in Cuba; Astrolabio, Nietes Win in Manila
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • What Happened to the Goodman Fight? Inoue on Replacement, Mismatch Spree
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • Ambuang wins 1799 Below FIDE Tournament in Tangub City
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • FUNDORA VS. BADILLO UNDERCARD TO BE STACKED WITH GOLDEN BOY’S FUTURE STARS
    , Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • NM Nika Juris Nicolas finishes fourth in Cincinnati Chess Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • May 10: Andres Cortes-Salvador Jimenez Junior Lightweight Showdown Featured on Navarrete-Suarez Undercard at Pechanga Arena San Diego LIVE on ESPN+
    , Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • BOOTS AND HEARN TELL WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONS – DARE TO BE GREAT!
    , Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • UNDEFEATED BANTAMWEIGHT ANTHONY GARNICA READY TO SHINE IN 2ND MAIN EVENT AGAINST ASTON PALICTE ON APRIL 19
    , Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • Kevin Brown Training Camp Notes
    , Tue, 15 Apr 2025
  • Undefeated Dallas Super Middleweight Sam Arnold III returns home to Graduate from Prospect to Contender
    , Tue, 15 Apr 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.