The team of WBA welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao reaffirmed its new target for the boxer’s next fight. In a press conference in Manila, Philippines, on Wednesday, Pacquiao’s camp confirmed negotiations for a potential matchup in June or July has started, and the possible venue is not limited in the United States.
Manny Pacquiao next fight: Tentative details revealed from the Filipino champ’s team
Pacquiao’s business manager Arnold Vegafria led the said media event revealing details about the boxer’s highly anticipated return to the ring. It can be recalled that several sources confirmed late last year that the eight-division champion was supposed to have a fight in early 2020.
It became much clearer that Pacquiao was unlikely to keep that plan when 2019 ended, and the first month of the current year passed by without any detail confirmed about his next fight. His camp has now gone on official record that they are eyeing a boxing event sometime in June or July.
Pacquiao’s team is also not putting any limits on where his next big fight would be held. “We’re going to make it a big fight,” Vegafria added, per Philippines’ Inquirer.net. “We don’t know where but it’s either Saudi, the Middle East, Asia or United States.” Most of Pac-Man’s blockbuster fights have been held in the U.S. and it would be the first for him to fight in the Middle East should they eventually choose a venue in that region.
There was no definitive detail mentioned who would face Pacquiao in June or July. However, the most speculated opponents include the names of Errol Spence Jr., Danny Garcia, Mikey Garcia, and Shawn Porter, among others.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Conor McGregor is reportedly possible in 2021
Pacquiao made headlines last week after signing with Paradigm Sports Management, the same company handling Conor McGregor’s fights. This only fueled the already widely discussed potential match between the boxing stars.
Vegafria confirmed that Paradigm is currently handling the said negotiations for Pacquiao’s next fight. However, details about a potential McGregor fight were still very tentative, with Pacquiao’s business manager only mentioning it might not happen before 2021.