By Edward Chaykovsky
If Manny Pacquiao needs a dance partner for the fall, WBA welterweight champion Keith 'One Time' Thurman (27-0, 22KOs) is ready to fill that slot.
Thurman took part in a Fight of The Year battle last month, winning a close twelve round unanimous decision over former IBF chmapion Shawn Porter at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Pacquiao retired back in April, after winning a twelve round decision in his trilogy fight with Timothy Bradley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The Filipino star is now targeting a potential return in the fall.
For years, the possibility of a Pacquiao-Thurman fight was nearly impossible, because Arum did zero business with any fighter who was managed by Al Haymon.
But a few months ago Arum and Haymon settled their legal battle, put their differences aside and started discussing different ideas for potential fights.
Arum has already spoken to Haymon about the possibility of having Adrien Broner face Pacquiao. Broner was too expensive to secure for the fight. Arum has also mentioned another Haymon fighter, WBC welterweight champion Danny Garcia.
Thurman hopes to get his name in the mix and sees no reason why a deal can't be reached.
"I don’t see why not [it can't happen]. Manny Pacquiao is an extremely exciting fighter, he’s an aggressive fighter similar to Shawn Porter. I think it would make a terrific fight," Thurman told On The Ropes Boxing Radio.
Pacquiao's return date, and venue, is still unknown. Arum had initially planed to stage the fight on October 15th at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Now October 29th and November 5th are the dates being pursued. Pacquiao claimed a senatorial seat in the Philippines back in May and has avoid any potential conflicts with his political career. Some adjustments will have to be made with his training camp schedule, but Arum does not anticipate any issues that would prevent Pacquiao's ring return.
