Manny Pacquiao Next Fight News: 'Pacman' vs Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez in 2016?
Filipino boxing great Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao next and final fight in 2016 may be against the Mexican rising star Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.
The possibility of "Pacman" clashing with the 25-year-old boxer was informed by Lance Pugmire of Los Angeles Times, Boxing News 24 reported.
Pugmire directly told "Canelo" that he has a chance to collide with the eight-division world champion, citing his talk with Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, who promotes the veteran boxer, noted the outlet. "Bob Arum told me this week that Manny Pacquiao may be on the table for you," Pugmire said.
The young Mexican replied to this, saying his fight against Puerto Rican warrior Miguel Cotto on Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas is his utmost concern right now.
"Yes, of course, it's a fight [Canelo vs. Pacquiao] that could happen in the future, but right now my focus is on Miguel Cotto 100 percent and nobody else. I am not thinking about the future," Alvarez said.
"Pacman's" possible opponents
There are now several names in the mix for who could be the one foe "Pacman" will meet in his final battle.
Arum told Boxing Scene that he thinks that the World Boxing Organization super lightweight titleholder Terence Crawford deserves a shot against "Pacman," especially after proving his skills against Dierry Jean on Oct. 2 in Omaha, Nebraska via a 10th round stoppage.
"It was just perfect. He showed a lot of skill, a lot of smarts and a lot of patience. It showed that a fight with Pacquiao would be a hellacious type of fight," Arum told the Boxing Scene.
WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, who has successfully defended his title against Brandon Rios in Las Vegas on Nov. 7 via a ninth round knockout, per BoxRec, also has the chance to face Pacquiao.
Arum shared with Boxing Scene that Pacquiao will look into the tapes of the Crawford-Jean fight and Bradley-Rios showdown to help him with his choice. With Pugmire's statement, Pacquiao will most likely wait for the outcome of the Cotto-Canelo battle and also deliberate on it.
Aside from Crawford, Bradley and Alvarez, World Boxing Council silver welterweight titlist Amir Khan is still hoping to land the opportunity of meeting the Filipino boxing icon in the ring.
The British boxer seems confident that he will be picked, basing on his interview on BBC Sport. In another article from Boxing Scene, "King Khan" claimed that "talks are going really well" between Team Pacquiao and his camp.
Lastly, Fight Hype noted that Pacquiao still wants a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr, who defeated him in May via unanimous decision.
Who could be "Pacman's" final foe?
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