It could be late autumn in Manny Pacquiao’s career calendar. But the question is who’ll end up as Pacquiao’s opponent in his targeted return to the ring next summer?
Odd, but it’s the least surprising that the search for Pacquiao’s next foe has also turned into a mini lottery on who would be his most comfortable ring partner.
Mirror, mirror on the gym wall, who’s the nicest foe of them all?
Amir Khan, barks former two-division world champ Gerry Peñalosa, now a trusted assistant and confidante of Sen. Pacquiao.
Who comes next to Khan, 2004 Olympic silver medalist and former unified world junior welterweight champion?
Peñalosa could not seem to name an active boxer less dangerous than Khan.
Explains Peñalosa: “Khan has a glass jaw. I think Manny can knock him out.”
Pacquiao has not spoken seriously since being told he would be fighting again in April, after suffering a controversial loss to Jeff Horn in Brisbane last July.
For his part, Khan has gleefully welcomed the possibility of clashing with Pacquiao, his former stable mate.
Hollers Khan: “To be in the same ring with one like him (Pacquiao) would be amazing. He has had two defeats in the last two years, but he’s still up there as one of the top welterweight fighters in the world.”
Pacquiao could indeed loom like a dream foe as far as Khan is concerned. But, going by Khan’s sick ring stature, could Khan prove a relevant tune-up, before Pacquiao goes up for a flaring farewell fight later this year?
Promoter Bob Arum was quick to propose a stronger opponent. Arum singled out former world junior welterweight titlist Mike Alvarado. Arum said Pacquiao-Alvarado would be a hot 50/50 encounter.
Arum did not say it, but it could be his way of helping preserve Pacquiao’s pride and dignity.
Alvarado has scored four straight wins since returning to big-time action; while Khan was dumped dead after being stopped cold in the sixth round in his last bout in 2016. Khan would be checking back from a useless activity as part of a British television jungle series.