This year was another fine one for superstar Manny Pacquiao as the Filipino icon netted convincing victories over bigger men in Joshua Clottey and Tijuana whirlwind Antonio Margarito. While the Clottey affair was a lukewarm pairing due to the Ghana fighter?s reluctance to fight, the Margarito tussle was pretty entertaining and savage despite its one-sided nature. Both fights took place inside of Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas and after capturing the WBC junior middleweight crown with his victory three weekends back it appears that Pacquiao is now headed back to the welterweight division for his next fight.
While Pacquiao?s story has been a great one for many parties involved, it?s safe to say that those in the city of Las Vegas have missed his presence dearly this year. Prior to his fights with Clottey and Margarito, Pacquiao had produced some of his finest ring performances within the city dating back to his Vegas debut when he thrashed Lehlo Ledwaba at the MGM Grand. Last month I spoke with Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer about how Pacquiao?s showcases impacted the city on various fronts.
<--- Slideshow: Images of Manny Pacquiao?s finest Las Vegas moments
?He?s beaten some very good fighters the last eight years he fought in Nevada,? Kizer stated. ?They were huge events for this state and they brought in a lot of revenue both direct and indirect as a lot of fights too. It?s been good. Great promotions, great performances by him and by his opponents and I doubt any fans have been unhappy leaving any of his fights here in Nevada?
Kizer went on highlight some of the reasons Vegas had missed out on Pacquiao this year, as the MGM Grand seemingly passed up on the Clottey fight because they had the date reserved for a Floyd Mayweather fight that never came off at that exact time while the Margarito fight wasn?t feasible because the former champion?s license application was tabled following his suspension fro the sport. With a new year just around the corner, Kizer revealed some insight as to why Pacquiao likely will be returning to Nevada when all is said and done.
?I talked to Michael Koncz from Pacquiao?s people,? Kizer said. ?He called me about a week before the fight went to Texas and he was asking if there was any way to bring it to Las Vegas. I told him that Margarito was told that once he had his hearing he could come back to Nevada. He was free to do that. I know Pacquiao and Top Rank wanted the fight here but they couldn?t for reasons beyond their control. Koncz said Pacquiao wishes everything single fight of his can go back to Vegas and that is going to be his goal to fight all of his fights here in Nevada.?
The latest frontrunners in the Pacquiao sweepstakes are all fine pugilists in there own right in the form of ?Sugar? Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Andre Berto. The latter two electrified with knockout wins last weekend at the MGM Grand and at the post fight press conference following the card they let it be known that Pacquiao was at the top of their wish list. And Mosley has always been open to a bout with Pacquiao and despite his lackluster efforts in his last two outings, a May decision loss to Mayweather and a September draw with Sergio Mora, he still has enough veteran experience and power to make the contest interesting for a few rounds.
Newsflash: Bert Sugar says it?s unfair to compare Nonito Donaire to Pacquaio
Pacquiao will turn 32 on December 17th and his promoter Bob Arum will be making the trip to the Philippines to help him celebrate as well as reaching out to him in an attempt to finalize a deal for his latest foe. Nick Giongco of the Manila Bulletin reports that Arum will have offer sheets of Mosley and Berto in hand and is shrewdly waiting on the arrival of Marquez?s sheet as well with hopes of an April 16th bout in Las Vegas to be in the works if all goes well.
?In the end, it?s going to be Manny?s decision,? Arum claimed. ?We are going to discuss the economics but he will make the call. He?s the one fighting.?
The fight that everyone had wanted for over the past year was a Pacquiao fight with Las Vegas-based superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. but the undefeated stalwart seems uninterested at the moment and also has some serious legal hurdles to overcome before he can think about entering a ring. Mosley appears to be the one with the inside track to land the fight and while a bout against him, or Berto or Marquez for that matter, wouldn?t be nearly as enticing for Pacquiao it still would be nice to see him in the ring again.
All one has to do is attend a weigh in to a Pacquaio fight in Las Vegas to get a sense of just how palpable the energy in the air is, as was the case last November for his face off with Miguel Cotto. His return to the Valley would be welcomed with open arms and perhaps boxing historian Bert Sugar put it best when asked of just how much those in Las Vegas missed Pacquiao throughout the year.
?The gambling handle is down, and as far as the rooms, I think they pay you to stay there now. It?s suffering and Manny Pacquiao was always a big, big favorite there. Not only for the Filipino fans that he brought but by the excitement he brought. I gotta tell you he has brought excitement to the ring and excitement to Las Vegas. And yes, they have missed him.?
