Opponents cannot wait for Sen. Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

The last big item on the legendary Manny Pacquiao came from Beijing where he was a thundering hit with fans whom he thrilled with an announcement earlier that he would love to fight in the Chinese capital.

Pacquiao did not mention a date but, just the same, it was received with an overwhelming ovation from Chinese boxing officials, media and fans.

A Pacquiao fight is a big event, whether against an established opponent or an obscure aspirant.

Anyway, while the boxing world waits anxiously for word on Pacquiao’s next fight, there came a news item on Thursday, warning that future foes cannot wait indefinitely for Pacquiao.

Top Rank, lead promotional outfit that sells Pacquiao fights, said it understands that the fighting senator has been very busy with his role in the Philippine Senate and they would just sit and wait for a decision from the Pacquiao camp.

However, this cannot be the case with Pacquiao’s prospective opponents.

Said Top Rank president Todd DuBoef: “Horn is not waiting for Pacquiao, Terence Crawford is not waiting for Pacquiao. The welterweight division is a wonderful division, all these guys are wonderful athletes. They’re not going to wait on guys.”

Pacquiao had initially agreed to do a November rematch with Jeff Horn, who took away his WBO welterweight crown via a controversial decision in Brisbane on July 2.

However, Pacquiao had decided to pull out from the contracted bout.

First, he said he would be deeply committed with his duties as a senator. Next, he said he wanted to stage the Horn rematch in the Philippines.

Top Rank, citing lack of proper funding, turned down the Pacquiao proposal.

Meanwhile, it was announced that Horn would be defending his title against Gary Corcoran of Great Britain in December. It was also noted that a successful Horn defense could yet lead to a rematch with Pacquiao next year.

There has been no comment from the Pacquiao camp.

(THANK GOD: From Dr. Jimmy Sanchez of Hospital On Wheels, Philippines: “Lola Ester, an 86-year-old widower from Central Luzon, had a progressively growing cancer on the right cheek, which has extended into the lower eyelid, thereby threatening to affect her vision. Thank God she saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Watch her story at ABS-CBN’s “Salamat Dok” on Saturday at 6 a.m.”)