A multi-million rand fight against Manny Pacquiao is a possibility for Malcolm Klassen if he beats Mzonke Fana at Emperors Palace near Johannesburg on May 5.
This was disclosed by Klassen’s promoter, Rodney Berman, shortly after an announcement that he would stage Klassen’s mandatory IBF junior lightweight title defence against Fana.
Berman secured the rights to stage the fight after his American partner, Art Pelullo of Banner Promotions, won the purse bids this week.
Berman said he had reached an agreement with Pelullo to stage the fight at Emperors Palace.
If Klassen wins, as Berman expects him to, there is a possibility of him defending his crown against Pacquiao, one of the best boxers in the world.
“Yes, Pacquiao’s people have expressed an interest to fight Klassen,” Berman said.
Nicknamed “Pacman”, the Filipino beat another South African, Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, when he took his IBF junior featherweight title in 2001.
Pacquiao has since beaten top fighters, including Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales (twice) and Oscar Larios.
He was scheduled to challenge Barrera for the WBC junior lightweight crown but as a result of a promotional wrangle the WBC instead mandated Barrera to face Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas on March 17.
Pacquiao will be considered only after that fight if his promotional status becomes clear.
His interest in Klassen’s title could be an effort to increase his bargaining power during negotiations with the Barrera camp.
Pacquiao first has to get past China’s Injin Chi, whom he fights in Macau on April 28.
Berman said a fight between Klassen and Pacquiao would generate a lot of money for the South African.
