Come 2016, Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao’s return and likely last match could end up a retirement match if it is true that his camp is once again in talks with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and company.
Manny Pacquiao is scheduled to make his return to the ring by early 2016 and until now, the leading candidate to be his next (and probably final) opponent was former stablemate Amir Khan.
Khan and Lucas Matthysse were the names being considered some weeks back as Pacquiao’s final opponent. But the Argentine boxer bombed out of the race after losing via knockout in the 10th round to Ukrainian Vikot Postol last Saturday.
After that crushing loss, Khan seemed to be the likely opponent with no other name being mentioned. That was until today when Pacquiao bared that they were in talks with Mayweather for a possible rematch.
Pacquiao, who was at Doha to visit the AIBA World Boxing Championships, told AFP about the Mayweather talks and that his opponent for 2016 would likely be known either by November or December.
The Filipino boxer lost to Mayweather via unanimous decision back in May at Las Vegas and many believed that a rematch was highly unlikely when the two didn’t exactly part off well.
The matter was further aggravated when it was found that Pacquiao was fighting on an injured shoulder to which Mayweather claimed that the Filipino boxer just didn’t want to admit defeat.
Hence, the surprise revelation of a Mayweather-Pacquiao 2 does somehow catch many off-guard, especially considering that Mayweather stood firm that his September 12 fight with Andre Berto was the last time he would be getting into the ring.
Not too many believe that a sequel to the May 2 fight would rack in the same revenue, mostly calling it a boring tiff since Mayweather opted to fight defensively than aggressively. Despite claims that he would engage Pacquiao in an action-packed bout, such never happened.
Whether the talks prosper or not, the fact remains that Pacquiao has said that it could very well be his last.
Pacquiao is preparing to run for a senate seat in the May 2016 Philippine elections and based on surveys, he is a cinch to make it into the magic 12.
Such has drawn criticism from his countrymen, citing his poor attendance in congress as a concern. And apparently this is why he has vowed to retire after his return match though such remains to be seen.
Aside from that, does this mean that Amir Khan will be shunned yet again?