Manny Pacquiao AFP FILE PHOTO
Señor Fernando Beltran, amiable top international boxing promoter, has announced his plan to bring Manny Pacquiao to his hometown Mexico.
“Mexico deserves to see him, nothing clear but we’re making the attempt,” Beltran explained, adding there has been initial negotiation.
A Pacquiao fight in Mexico would be a ready sell-out, said Beltran. He said Mexican fans have all these years been craving to watch Pacquiao live.
Pacquiao has clashed with a slew of Mexican ring greats, namely Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales and Antonio Margarito. He had a four-fight series with Marquez, who punctuated the colorful rivalry with a cold stoppage of Pacquiao in December 2012. Beltran said that if Pacquiao ever sees action in Mexico, it should be next April.
Nothing really clear there, although Pacquiao has earlier announced his plan to make a comeback in April.
Truth is there has been nothing certain about the boxing plans of Sen. Pacquiao since his controversial exit as WBO welterweight champion in Brisbane last July.
He pulled out of a transacted rematch with his conqueror Jeff Horn, thereby leaving everybody wondering what he’s up to, or where he would be fighting next.
Before the Mexican announcement, Pacquiao floated the idea of clashing with mixed martial arts standout Conor McGregor. Pacquiao called out McGregor by sending a Thanksgiving greeting for the Irish star to “keep fit my friend.”
In a recent trip to mainland China, Pacquiao’s announcement that he could be fighting in Beijing was received with thundering applause.
Didn’t he also try to bring his aborted rematch with Horn to Manila, after allegedly being promised support by famous friends that included President Duterte?
Meanwhile, Horn has made a successful defense of his WBO welterweight crown in Brisbane by scoring an 11th round stoppage of Englishman Gary Corcoran on Wednesday.
Veteran promoter Bob Arum said he would seek to match Horn against the sensational Terence Crawford of Omaha, possibly next April. Arum said Pacquiao could be pitted against the winner between Horn and Crawford.
It’s however unclear if Pacquiao is still under contract with Arum.
As one pundit noted, the only sure thing about Pacquiao is that he will turn 39 on Sunday.
Happy Birthday, and the best of luck Senator Pacquiao, sir!
(SURE HIT: There’s a big art affair tomorrow that promises to be a sure hit. The coffee table book “SARI-SARI: The Art of ANTONIO AUSTRIA,” will be launched at the Finale Art File, Warehouse 17, La Fuerza Compound , 2241 Chino Roces Ave., Makati. The classy colorful volume comes with a foreword by Dr. Jaime C. Laya. Doors open at 6 p.m.)