Boxing News: Manny Pacquiao’s Return To Ring Being Set; Opponent Shortlist Down To Last Two

Manny Pacquiao might step back into the fighting ring sooner than later as the Filipino legend begins to set the table for his next bout. The shortlist of the fighting Senator’s next possible opponent is said to be down to its last two options, signaling that the return is indeed drawing closer.

In a report published by ESPN, Pacquiao’s adviser and MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons said that their team targets the first quarter of 2020 to be the timetable for the 40-year old Welterweight Champion’s next fight. The boxing match is said to be staged in the United States sometime in March or April next year.

Gibbons likewise bared the two names on the shortlist: former welterweight and junior welterweight world champion Danny Garcia and four-division world champion Mikey Garcia.

The 31-year old Philadelphia native Danny Garcia is coming off a huge bounce-back knockout victory over Adrian Granados in April that avenged his heartbreaking loss to Shawn Porter in the prior year. He currently holds a 35-2 win-loss card including 21 wins via knockout.

Mikey Garcia, on the other hand, will boast his multi-division world title credentials to get a shot at the Filipino icon. This fighter from Oxnard, California has worked from the ground up, seizing world title belts from the featherweight division to the welterweight. Also at 31, Mikey Garcia will be fighting with a bigger chip on his shoulder after he suffered a shocking decision loss to Errol Spencer Jr. on March 16 that sent him to a sudden hiatus from the boxing scene.

Regardless of who Pacquiao chooses to share the ring with, a worthy challenge to his welterweight world title is already anticipated.

The Pacman has won his last three fights with the last one at the expense of a much younger Keith Thurman in a dominant fashion last July 20. Regarded as one of the most explosive fighters in combat history, the General Santos City-raised slugger stands at 62 wins, 39 of which came via KO, against seven defeats and two bouts even in his historic two-decade career.