No opponent has been chosen yet to fight against Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao for what is believed to be his final fight in 2016. Moreover, speculations about possible fight between Pacquiao and Amir Khan were also recently put to rest.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum previously stated that an announcement was to be expected during truTV's coverage of another boxing icon Nonito Donaire's fight in Puerto Rico. However, as reported by The National, Arum's spokesman, Fred Sternburg instead announced that no challenger is in place yet as Pacquiao is not yet ready to choose an opponent for his April 9, 2016 fight.
"I was asked to tell you on Bob's behalf that, unfortunately, Top Rank will not have an announcement on truTV as originally planned as Manny is not ready to make a decision on his opponent yet,", Sternburg said.
After Pacquiao's last bout inside the ring in 2016, he is said to focus on his career as a lawmaker in his home country, where he is claimed to be eyeing on a senatorial seat. As reported by Mail Online, Arum also previously expressed his support in Pacquiao's decision to not stay "too long" in boxing.
"Manny told me this would be his last fight and I'm not sad about it because he's going on to a political career which will require a lot of mental acuity, so you don't want him to stay in boxing too long. If he stays in boxing a little too long his mental faculties might be somewhat impaired.", Arum stated.
Furthermore, rumors about a Pacquiao-Khan fight were dismissed recently as Telegraph reported that negotiations are underway between Khan's side and International Boxing Federation champion, Kell Brook, for a possible welterweight fight.
Current speculated fighters to fight against Pacquiao include American fighter Terence Crawford with a record of 27-O and 19 knockouts, or a final trilogy against Tim Bradley who has a record of 33-1-1 with 13 knockouts.
Manny Pacquiao's last fight was against Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas where Pacman did not return home as victor and also had to undergo a rotator cuff surgery. He has a record of 57-6 with two draws and 38 knockouts.
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