Manny Pacquiao with the executives of ISPS Handa during a press conference at Makati Shangri-La. The Japanese non-profit organization donated $100,000 to Manny and Jinkee Paqcuiao’s charity and named the eight-division champion its ambassador. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Manny Pacquiao will reportedly fight Adrien Broner next and not Floyd Mayweather Jr.
According to reports, Pacquiao said Wednesday night that his planned bout against Broner, a former four-division champion, will likely take place in the US on either January 12 or 19 next year.
Pacquiao made the announcement during a charity event to introduce him as the new ambassador for International Sports Promotion Society Handa at Makati Shangri-La.
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Pacquiao, who turns 40 this December, is coming off an impressive showing against Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse last July in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where he scored his first knockout since stopping Miguel Cotto in the 12th round in 2009.
The 29-year-old Broner (33-3-1, 24 KOs) last fought Mexico’s Jessie Vargas to a majority draw six months ago at a catchweight of 144 pounds.
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Mayweather and Pacquiao unintentionally crossed paths in Japan where, in a video taken by international matchmaker Sean Gibbons, the retired American teased he is coming back again for a rematch with the Filipino ring icon.
Mayweather beat Pacquiao by unanimous decision in a record-breaking megafight three years ago.