Assessing options for Manny Pacquiao on his next move
Future Hall Of Famer and all-time great Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39KOs) fell short in his attempt to reclaim the WBA ‘super’ welterweight title. His foe, Yordenis Ugas (27-4, 12KOs), put on a dominant performance in their twelve-round title fight. The loss, which was rather surprising to many, has now put the Filipino trailblazer in a sticky situation. Retire and call it a day on a phenomenal career, or keep chugging along at the age of 42 years old?
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Manny Pacquiao is boxing’s only eight-division world champion in history. However, against Ugas, he showed that Father Time may have finally caught up with him. A two-year ring-absence to go along with facing a talented and motivated champion appeared to be too much for the aging former champion. However, if he’s to continue fighting, who should he face?
PAC MAN’S OPTIONS!
For starters, Pacquiao is still a fantastic draw, evident by the crowd in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Secondly, he still has some fight left in him. Is it world-title-contending fight? I’m not so sure about that, but if he’s to continue his career, what are the best options for him?
One name to throw out there is Keith “One Time” Thurman. The former unified welterweight champion suffered his first career-loss to Pacquiao back in July of 2019. Since then, One Time has repeatedly expressed his desire to run it back. With both men fighting sporadically the last few years, a rematch makes sense. Especially since there’s that familiarity there.
Another possibility would include four-division world champion Mikey Garcia, another fighter who has been inactive. These two men have had negotiations that were nearly finalized only to crumble in the end. Garcia has long yearned for a fight with Pacquiao, a pretty even fight at this stage. It would surely be welcomed by fight fans, especially if it’s billed as the final fight for Pac Man.
Finally, Danny Garcia, the two-division world champion is a probable Hall Of Famer that would make for an entertaining fight with the Filipino buzz saw. Although he’s coming off a one-sided defeat against unified welterweight champion Errol Spence in his last fight, the Philadelphia native would be another good option.
Regardless of what Pacquiao decides to do, fight fans and boxing pundits will be eagerly awaiting a decision, either way.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
