By Edward Chaykovsky
Michael Koncz, the longtime adviser of former eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao (58-5-2, 38KOs), says there is nothing concrete about the possibility of his fighter coming back in the fall.
This past April, Pacquiao announced his retirement from the sport after winning a twelve round unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley in their trilogy bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao's main motivation to retire was to pursue a full-time career in politics back home in the Philippines. Pacquiao has continued to climb the political ladder last month after securing a seat in the Filipino senate.
Last week, Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank revealed to BoxingScene.com that he was holding an October date in Las Vegas for a the potential return of the Filipino star. A working date of October 15th at the Mandalay Bay has been reserved.
Two of the possible candidates to fight Pacquiao, according to Arum are WBO junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford and former four division world champion Adrien Broner.
Crawford returns on July 23rd in a unification with WBC champion Viktor Postol at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Broner last fought in April when he stopped Ashley Theophane in nine rounds.
Koncz did not deny the possibility of a fight with Broner, but he clearly states that Crawford (28-0, 22KOs) is not in the running and has never been in the running for a Pacquiao fight.
“We have not agreed on anything yet, he has been very busy with his Senatorial duties,” Koncz told scribe Mike Woods. "I will not make comments until authorized by Manny. We have not agreed to anything and if we fight again Crawford is not even a thought and never was.”
Earlier this year, Koncz personally reached out to Broner to discuss the idea of a fight in April. Back then, Arum and Broner's manager Al Haymon were involved in a high stakes legal battle. The two sides settled their dispute a few weeks ago - and now Arum looks forward to working with Haymon to put big fights together.
