Manny Pacquiao (54?3?2?38 KOs) will attempt to break his two-loss streak on November 24, 2013, when he squares off against American-light welterweight Brandon Rios (33?1?1?23 KOs) at The Venetian, Macau (China).
Pacquiao had either Mike Alvarado or Brandon Rios as options, but ultimately chose Rios for his aggressive style.
It?s a perfect match-up for southpaw slugger, Pacquiao.
?[Rios] is going to come to fight. He?ll move straight forward and try to brawl with Manny, and that?s the kind of fight that will be very entertaining for the fans. Anyone who knows these two guys knows there?s really no other way for them to fight,? Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz said.
Although a fifth bout was considered between Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, the fight no longer holds much interest. The ongoing conflict between the two greats was settled decisively on their fourth, November 2012 clash, when Marquez brutally put Pacquiao on the canvas with a thundering right hand.
With his already-tarnished reputation on the line, the pressure has never been greater for Pacquiao, who must now win against Rios to rebuild a declining fan-base and reignite a possible of mega-fight with undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr.
If the Filipino delivers, in great fashion, we will see him catapulted back to the stratosphere of pound-for-pound best fighter.
?I want to see Manny with a good performance. I think he can knock this guy out, and this guy is one of the new generation of fighters coming up. It?s a fight that if he wins it, would keep Manny in the pound-for-pound top 10,? said Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach.
But as the hype of Pacquiao, 34, returning to the ring intensifies, many are left wondering if ?Pac-Man? can bounce back from his two recent upsets.
A spate of political commitments, business ventures, religion and marital issues with wife Jinkee have been blamed for his current lacklustre performances.
Freddie Roach, said Manny plans to prepare for the fight in General Santos City, Philippines, to avoid distractions.
The Pacquiao of the last few fights is but a shadow of his former self, seemingly less energetic, throwing fewer combinations, less head movement, and his famous straight-left-hand doesn?t seem to have the same ?snap? it once had.
Floyd Mayweather Jr (44-0-0-26 KOs) says Pacquiao?s commitments outside the ring have contributed to his last three unimpressive performances:
?You have to really, really dedicate yourself to your craft. I think he?s got so many different things on the outside that he worries about, you know.?
The late heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey said, ?A true champion is never deterred by a knock-down but must get up and fight some more.?
Let?s hope Manny can do just that come November.
