Arum: 2 bouts for Pacquiao in 2017, Mayweather rematch possible

(L-R): CEO of Mayweather Promotions Leonard Ellerbe, WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, and Top Rank Founder and CEO Bob Arum pose during a news conference at the KA Theatre at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on April 29, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather and Pacquiao will face each other in a unification bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas. AFP PHOTO / JOHN GURZINSKI / AFP PHOTO / JOHN GURZINSKI

If he succeeds in his return fight, Filipino boxing champ and now Sen. Manny Pacquiao will likely finish his career with two more major bouts in 2017.

Boxing promoter Bob Arum said this Wednesday, looking at possibly pitting Pacquiao against WBC junior welterweight title holder Terence Crawford, and even a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“If he wins this fight, we have the idea for a couple of big fights next year. And I think that will end his career with two more fights in 2017,” Arum told reporters at the Senate Wednesday, where he was guest at the chamber’s session.

“Crawford is a possibility, and who knows, Mayweather may be a possibility. You know, Mayweather’s making noises about returning and going to a 50th fight,” he said.

Pacquiao had lost to the Mayweather by a unanimous decision in what was dubbed “The Fight of the Century” in May 2015.

The Pacquiao camp later revealed that he fought with an injured right shoulder.

“Let’s see Manny with a fully-healed shoulder. I think Manny would give a lot better account of himself in that fight. I thought it was a very close fight. I thought Manny could have won that fight. When they fight again, if they fight again, I have no doubt that Manny will win,” said Arum.

Pacquiao had confirmed earlier Wednesday that he would return to the ring on Nov. 5 to fight welterweight titleholder Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas.

Asked if he thinks the boxer could attend to his legislative duties while training, Arum said it would be entirely up to Pacquiao.

“I don’t know how extensive the work is as a senator in the Philippines. Manny does, the other Senators do, they all feel and Manny feels that he can train here in Manila and not miss any sessions, fight in the period when the Senate is in recess, and give a great performance,” Arum said.

“In fact whether he can do that or not, that’s up to him. It’s something that we have never ever seen before in the sport of boxing,” he said.

He described Vargas as a “tough” opponent for Pacquiao.

“He (Vargas) is not an opponent who goes into his shell, who’s a defensive fighter. He’s very very offensive, he is beginning to really punch with authority,” he said of the 27-year-old Mexican-American fighter who snagged his title belt by beating 2008 United States Olympian Sadam Ali in March.

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