Manny Pacquiao, the man, is known for his seemingly unending generosity and willingness to help those around him. Almost to his own detriment, the eight-division world champ has extended a helping hand to so many other people. As a fighter, though, his career has been managed ruthlessly and with the idea that his people will fight for every little advantage, every extra cent possible. And there?s nothing wrong with that. Actually, it?s the very reason fighters have management.
But here?s hoping that Team Pacquiao stays as firm and as stubbornly focused on Manny?s well-being now that it appears as though the Filipino icon has just one fight left in his legendary career. Because, with one foot out the door, there will be a great temptation to toss the future Hall of Famer to the lions and use him as a stepping stone to build the star power of the next big thing.
It?s the nature of the beast?especially in the old school mind of guys like Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum. Take your retiring superstar and feed him to the next generation. Not only will you build a new star, but you will also diminish the old, outgoing star so he can?t turn around, sign with another promoter, and become direct competition.
In Manny?s case, Arum will likely be looking to match him against rising star Terence Crawford, who many believe stands a very good chance of beating him.
But if this is, indeed, Manny?s last bout, then he needs to put his foot down and, for once, insist on not being the perfect company man. If there is just one more fight left in the illustrious career of Manny Pacquiao, then he deserves a glorious victory lap against an opponent more conducive to his particular fighting style and more likely to produce the kind of fan-friendly battles Pacquiao loved to bring to the fans.
And if Pacquiao wants to give the fans one more nail-biting, all-action tussle, then guys like Terence Crawford and Amir Khan should not be considered. Even Timothy Bradley, another fighter allegedly on the short list to be Manny?s final foe, would not be a good choice.
Juan Manuel Marquez in a part five would?ve been nice, but Marquez wants nothing to do with another bout. Other fan-friendly possible opponents may be blocked due to boxing politics. But, given that the bout is not until April 9 of next year, there?s time to wrangle a suitable opponent for one final war where Manny has a fair chance of doing what he does best. Maybe a blood and guts brawl with Ruslan Provodnikov or a battle Viktor Postol. Maybe even a rehabilitated Lucas Matthysse could find his way back into the picture.
The point is that Manny Pacquiao deserves to call the shots coming into his last bout and deserves to be matched in a way that is favorable to his style and mindset. He needs to be selfish, play the star, and give fans one last glorious war.
