Perplexing, Pacman’s next fight

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

FROM Australian Jeff Horn to Briton Amir Khan. From Brisbane, Australia to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. From five to thirty-eight million dollars. From April 23 to May 20. And now Manny “Pacman”s promoter Bob Arum said the Manny Pacquiao-Amir Khan showdown may be considered dead in the water owing to unresolved financial concerns. Arum also clarified that reports about the fight taking place in UAE were lies, and so was the touted Pacman-Horn fight in Australia having hit the buffers, but admitted that the offer in Australia wasn’t anywhere near $38 million and therefore, ended the Australian deal.
It’s truly perplexing when “money talks”. Yes, because the offer from Australia is not to the liking of the 38 year-old eight-time world champion and the UAE consortium is seven times higher ‘ika nga. Of course, Pacman prefers to fight in the UAE not only for the money but because UAE is hosting a lot of Filipino contract workers who can be expected to cheer for him. The 2004 Athens Olympics lightweight silver medalist Khan being a Pakistani Muslim prefers UAE as well.

The two have similar lightning quick hands and if the fight pushes through, I believe it will be “speed against speed.” But I’m giving Pacman the edge because Khan was inactive since last May after being knocked out cold in the sixth round by Mexican heavy-puncher Canelo Alvarez in the World Boxing Council world middleweight title fight.

I guess the fight on May 20 will not really happen knowing that Philippine senate is in session during this month. Not even in April because preparation for the two would be too short. As far as I’m concerned, the safest months should be June or July.
And despite the demand of the fans for the two to clash with each other, Pacman’s longtime promoter Arum said the dream deal would be baloney if no money is on the table, and concluded that if it doesn’t happen soon, Pacman’s next opponent will not be Khan. However, he refused to reveal the name and simply said England and U.S. are also likely the venues for Pacman’s next fight. Hopefully it will be Terence Crawford, the undefeated 29-year-old World Boxing Organization super lightweight king. And if that happens, believe me it will be a blockbuster encounter. Let just wait and see.

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The Werweran ed Mangaldan bikefest was successfully conducted last March 5. Firstly, my big thanks to the sponsor Alex Billan of Excellent Noodles, and to our PNP Provincial Director Ronald Lee for advising his men to assist us in managing the traffic for the road event won by Manaoag son Ericson Obosa. (See related story on this page). Likewise, to Mangaldan chief of police, P/ Supt. Jeff Fanged, P/Sr. Insp. Benny Centeno, SPO1 Joy Nipal, PO3s Junas Sembrano and Ronaldo Estayo and one of my best friends SPO1 Mike Tabora; Engr. John Garcia of JG Construction Mangaldan, Lope Carpio, Jr., Felipe Movida, Jr., and Mrs. Lorna Evans. To all my officials that, without them, the race might not have been successful. Mabuhay po kayo. To God be the glory.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. LUKE 7: 22

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