Pacquiao can’t leave the house, he won’t be in the ring this year
LOS ANGELES / MANILA – One of the most prominent boxers in the history of Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO) will probably not box in 2020.
It was said by his long-time coach Freddie Roach, who in recent weeks sees and hears Filipino legends only by phone or chat.
“I feel like he still wants to box. At least twice, “Roach repeated yesterday for Boxingscene.com recent words from a long talk about his longtime protégé and friend. “But it probably won’t be this year,” he changed his last “statement.”
“He told me the pandemic was even worse than here. He can’t even leave the house, even though he’s a senator. He lives with his children and relatives, he does not want to endanger them. It’s just a very bad time now and the thoughts of boxing are on the sidelines, “explained the experienced boxer.
The question is how his words can be understood. America has already recorded almost six cases of a positive test for covid-19, of which 181,000 died. California, the most populous state in the United States (approximately 40 million people), also has the highest numbers in the country – 693 thousand infected and nearly 13 thousand deaths.
On the contrary, the official numbers of the Philippines for Friday afternoon? 209,544 infected, 3,325 deaths and 134,474 cured. Given the fact that about a third of the US population lives on them, these are not bad numbers. So when it comes to accurate statistics.
In any case, Roach reiterated that the most interesting match for Pacquiao should be with Mikey Garcia (40-1, 30 KO), about whom the eight-time champion Pacquiao himself cares a lot. “Yeah, it would be a great match. It would be a perfect fight for him, “smiled the coaching legend.
According to her, there is also a clash with Terence Crawford (36-0, 27 KO), the holder of the WBO title in the veil weight, but now he is closer to the British Kell Brook (39-2, 27 KO), who received an offer from the promoter Bob Arum per match worth $ 1.5 million. The island beater may be used to slightly larger amounts, but at present the former IBF champion in the sweater could nod to this figure.
There is also the possibility … For a long time, Pacquia will be challenged here and there by a certain Conor McGregor, who three years ago received boxing training from Floyd Mayweather and it was obviously not enough for him. Although the Irish Stormtrooper has ended his career several times, he recently suggested that he could still return, but not in a cage, but in the ring.
In addition, the same management team – Paradigm Sports Management – is behind both. “That match doesn’t make sense, at most to let Manny get rich again. But for his legacy? Zero. The boy is not a boxer, he can’t do anything. Manny is too fast and too great a boxer to last McGregor in the ring for more than three laps. Honestly, that match would be useless for someone who will one day leave as the greatest boxer in history, “said long-time coach (mainly in fitness) Justine Fortune.
What happens when these words reach McGregor?