Promoter Bob Arum has made the long trip to The Philippines, again, and he outlined his plans for the soon to return Manny Pacquiao to the media. According to Arum, Pac-Man, who turns 38 in December, will fight WBO welterweight champ Jessie Vargas next (as everyone knew anyway, with the fight set for Las Vegas on November 5) and will then close out his “brilliant boxing career” with two more “big fights” next year.
Arum even tried to get the people listening to him excited by saying that a Pacquiao rematch with Floyd Mayweather Junior could possibly happen some time next year – even though Floyd himself has not said he will even box again.
“We’re all set for November 5,” Arum said. “He’s gonna fight for the welterweight championship against this tough, young Mexican/American, Jessie Vargas. Hopefully, if he beats Vargas, there’ll be some other big fights available next year. And I’m pretty sure enough will be enough, and by 2017, we will be seeing the end of Manny’s brilliant boxing career. Mayweather is making noises about returning and going for a 50th fight, and let’s see. With a fully healed shoulder, I think Manny would give a better account of himself. When they fight again – if they fight again – I have no doubt that Manny will win.”
First things first, and Pac-Man must get past a determined and focused Vargas in November. Vargas, who has stated that he will knock Pacquiao out, is much the younger man, he is the defending champion and he has looked good in his recent fights; even in his sole career loss to common opponent Tim Bradley – who Vargas had wobbled and hurt in the final round of their June 2015 fight. Vargas may not be a huge puncher on paper, but he can certainly hit and hurt an opponent. Pacquiao will enter the ring as a considerable betting favourite, but this is no foregone conclusion.
As to who the other fighters Pac-Man might face in 2017 if he does decide he wants to carry on after November, it’s no secret that Arum wants to make that Terence Crawford fight for Pacquiao, that and maybe a return with Mayweather. Arum says he has “no doubt” Pacquiao would defeat Mayweather if a rich return did happen. Many fans do have doubts Pac-Man would be able to better the performance he turned in in May of 2015, and that even if he did push the fight a little closer it would not be enough to defeat the 49-0 master.
Many of these same fans feel Crawford would also have too much for the current day version of Pacquiao. Let’s see how the former eight-weight champ looks against Vargas before we look any further.
