World Boxing Information can solely reveal that boxing legend Manny Pacquiao hopes to carry talks over a attainable UK battle in December.
Having landed in London for the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois battle as a Riyadh Season VIP visitor, Pacquiao will look to utilize his time in England. Manny Pacquiao Promotions President Sean Gibbons knowledgeable WBN that the Filipino famous person is open to combating on British soil after lacking out on a battle with Mario Barrios.
As WBN additionally reported first, Barrios and Pacquiao held talks relating to a WBC welterweight title conflict later this yr. Sadly, issues didn’t work out the way in which Gibbons had hoped, and Barrios will now characteristic on the Mike Tyson undercard in two months at AT&T Stadium, Texas.
Because of that ‘ship crusing,’ Pacquiao is in search of an enormous occasion, and several other names will likely be thought of important sufficient to be potential opponents.
Gibbons solely informed World Boxing Information, “We’re right here on the town, we’re in London, and we will likely be attending the Joshua battle. Manny would love to finish his profession in England. The thought was that earlier than he makes his approach into the political discipline in 2025, he’d love to do yet another battle and like to complete his profession in England. What higher place than the place boxing began?
“We are going to see what we are able to provide you with whereas we’re right here, however we plan to speak to Ben [Shalom] over a battle on Sky Sports activities, presumably earlier than the Usyk vs Fury rematch in December.”
Amir Khan and Conor Benn cropped up within the dialog, and Kell Brook was talked about as one other potential taker. Harlem Eubank has the title, if not the profile but, as Pacquiao seeks to star inside a UK area earlier than the Christmas holidays.
“The Khan battle has been talked about for fifteen years and at varied instances has tried to be made,” identified Gibbons. “I believe that may be a really enjoyable battle as a consequence of the place they’re each at with their careers. We additionally talked about Conor – if he’s off his suspension, that may be great in December. So no matter it’s, Manny would like to battle right here in England.
Extra particulars will emerge as Pacquiao and Gibbons delve into extra in-depth negotiations, however the possibilities of the UK headliner coming to fruition will hinge on this weekend. The truth that Turki Alalshikh may also attend can solely assist the scenario.
“Manny has an incredible quantity of British followers from through the years,” said Gibbons. “For now, there’s nothing within the US for Manny to contemplate. England is an incredible market, and in some methods, it’s larger for Manny Pacquiao right here since he’s by no means fought right here. It will likely be just like the followers seeing a residing legend, a Corridor of Famer, and attending to see him up shut and private.
“So staging a giant battle right here in London or Manchester could be an ideal approach for Manny to finish his profession. We hope we are able to make it occur. We are going to converse to Ben to provide all of the British followers an opportunity to see a boxing legend in motion earlier than he retires.”
Khan and Benn would undoubtedly be the frontrunners, as each have known as out Pacquiao over the previous few months. Khan nonetheless pines to commerce blows together with his former coaching companion after lacking out on a battle greater than as soon as throughout their careers.
Concerning Benn, the present ranked contender hopes to get clearance to battle following a suspension and goals to return across the similar time.
It was additionally confirmed to WBN that any battle agreed could be a full skilled contest and said, “We’d wish to have the WBC silver title on the road to provide the winner an incentive transferring ahead.”
Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay. Study extra in regards to the writer, skilled boxing author, and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010. Comply with on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
