Pacman's bluff called... Is he folding?
Mayweather tiff on hold; Arum due
MANILA, Philippines - There’s only one fight Manny Pacquiao is looking at right now, and that’s the one in the political arena.
So, unless Bob Arum offers him the moon, Pacquiao is no longer inclined to fight in March or May as earlier expected.
Pacquiao’s lawyer, Franklin Gacal, yesterday told The STAR that the reigning pound-for-pound champion has come to a decision the other night that his next fight will come after the May 10 elections.
“As of last night, Manny said he doesn’t want to fight in April or even May. There will be no fight. Maybe it will come after the elections,” said Gacal.
Pacquiao is running for a congressional seat in his home province of Sarangani where he will face a political heavyweight in his bid for public office.
The most exciting boxer in the planet today feels that he needs all the time he has to campaign, and has decided to put his boxing career on hold.
“Ayaw niya muna lumaban (He doesn’t want to fight yet),” said Gacal, who said Arum, scheduled to fly in today, will also meet with the boxer regarding their plans.
But the Top Rank president, according to Gacal, will be here for another reason outside of Pacquiao’s next fight. Reports said it has something to do with another deal with giant TV network ABS-CBN.
It looks like the Lopez-owned network has struck another deal with Pacquiao regarding his next fights. GMA-7 and Solar Sports have been the boxer’s network partners for his most recent fights.
Arum has met with Richard Schaefer regarding the big fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. And while there’s a “gag order” on the negotiations, Arum said the initial meeting was “very good.”
Even if Pacquiao decides to fight after the elections, the negotiations should continue, because the fight, if and when it happens, should be the biggest of this generation.
The Pacquiao-Mayweather fight can easily generate more than a $100 million in revenue, and if it takes place, the FIlipino icon can earn more than $30 million.
“Everything will depend on the developments after the elections. But again, as of last night, the March 13 and May 1 dates for Pacquiao’s next fight are out,” said Gacal.
When he sits down with Pacquiao, Arum will also discuss the boxer’s future in politics. Initially, Arum had hoped that Pacquiao would run unopposed.
But his rival for the congressional seat, one who comes for a deeply-rooted political family, did not budge and has also filed his certificate of candidacy like Pacquiao.
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