There’s nothing new or worth telling after that big flash from Bob Arum that promptly flattened the well-hyped Manny Pacquiao-Amir Khan nonbout.
The only info that came through the weekend said Michael Koncz, with unlimited authority from Pacquiao, had been foolishly talking to a group of Korean negotiators, who supposedly offered to put up the $38-million purse, aptly described by Arum as pie in the sky.
There was no way of confirming that one about the Koreans. Both Pacquiao and his favorite aide have also clamped up.
So who should Manny face next? Shouldn’t the Pacman conduct another online poll?
Of course, the hottest name that comes up is Keith Thurman, the unified WBC-WBA welterweight champion. It would be perfect for Thurman if he could include Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight belt in his collection.
Sounds like a hot one, and there were those who felt the PPV sales could go through the roof with this three-title unification championship.
But shouldn’t Thurman be asked first?
In the first place, there could be a hitch as Thurman fights under a [fierce] rival stable.
And what does trainer Freddie Roach think of the pairing?
Off-hand, the Hall of Fame trainer, who never said a word in the thick of the Pacquiao-Khan trash, refused to commit.
He said he had watched the WBC-WBA unification fight, and felt Thurman actually won by unanimous decision over Danny Garcia. The bout was scored a split.
Roach said he felt Thurman was bigger, and could also punch and compete.
So how does One Time fare against the Pacman?
“Manny is much faster, a much better boxer,” Roach claimed.
What does he think of Thurman versus Pacquiao?
“I think it’s an easy fight.”