It cannot be denied that Manny Pacquiao is winding up his boxing career. Many in fact believe that Pacquiao continues to show up in the gym only because he has not given up on the possibility of figuring in a big money showdown with American Floyd Mayweather Jr.
With eight world titles and enough money to buy the first habitable land mass in Mars, Pacquiao can walk away from the sport today with his legacy secured. As an incumbent congressman and a budding Bible preacher, Pacquiao has already discovered that there is life outside boxing. It is safe to say though that when the fight with Mayweather suddenly becomes feasible, any talk of retirement is instantly shelved.
Such was the case recently when Top Rank Promotions head Bob Arum announced that a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight may finally come into fruition, possibly in April 2013. Of course, Arum has made similar announcements before, leaving many to wonder if the guy is just spinning another sailor?s tale.
It appears though that the fight is really set to get off the blueprint stage. Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent in the music business, acquired a promoter?s license in July and recently launched his new promotional outfit TNT or The Money Team. With 50 Cent?s close ties to Mayweather and Arum apparently more at ease talking with the former, TNT has emerged as a major player in attempts to bring the big fight into the squared circle. You can sense that Arum is never more eager to work on the fight with rival Golden Boy Promotions seemingly out of the picture.
Indeed, the stars appear to be finally aligning. Mayweather, who recently emerged from prison after doing time for a domestic violence charge, has expressed interest in fighting again this year. Heck, in a rarity, Mayweather even acknowledged Pacquiao?s greatness in a recent interview.
Pacquiao had originally scheduled a November 10 return to the ring, but the date has since been pushed to December 1. Pacquiao apparently wants additional time to put in some serious gym work considering that he has looked pedestrian in his last few fights and is actually coming off a loss to American Timothy Bradley in June. However, there are also loose talks spreading that Mayweather and Pacquiao might just get it on this year without any tune-up fight. The additional time may be for Mayweather to get his rhythm back and for Pacquiao to clear up his extra-curricular schedule (i.e., he is expected to file his Certificate of Candidacy in October for another electoral post).
The more realistic observation is that Pacquiao is burning the midnight oil in his search for the ?ideal? December foe; the adversary who will provide some competitiveness but will not directly threaten or ruin the projected megabuck showdown with Mayweather next year.
American Bradley (29-0, 12 knockouts), Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez (54-6, 39 knockouts) and Puerto Rican Miguel Angel Cotto (37-3, 30 knockouts) are the most prominent names that have been mentioned. Bradley is the safest foe as he only beat Pacquiao by way of a gift decision from the judges. Marquez is a risky choice as he has what it takes to beat Pacquiao. A fourth showdown between Pacquiao and Marquez may also be a snoozer owing to Marquez?s counter-punching approach and the fighters? familiarity with each other?s style.
Pacquiao stopped Cotto in 12 pulsating rounds in November 2009 in a fight that turned out to be his last electrifying performance. Cotto gave Mayweather a lot of problems before losing on points in June. The problem in making Pacquiao-Cotto II is weight, as Cotto now fights in the super welterweight or 154-pound division. But here?s the catch: If Mayweather, who currently sits as the World Boxing Association super welterweight king, ends up insisting on fighting Pacquiao within the vicinity of 154 pounds, the Filipino ring icon may opt to test the waters again at super welterweight opposite Cotto. By some coincidence, Pacquiao came up with the December 1 date for his ring return shortly after reports mushroomed that Cotto was also planning to fight in the same month.
The way things are shaping up, Pacquiao?s finale might just be most exciting chapter yet in his illustrious career.
