Manny Pacquiao Next Fight: Floyd Mayweather Only Opponent Who Will Satisfy Fans
Much of the discussion leading up to Manny Pacquiao's fight against Chris Algieri, in which the Filipino legend scored six knockdowns en route to a lopsided unanimous-decision victory, focused on the latter boxer's distinct reach advantage.
Algieri (20-1-0) sports a 72-inch reach, while Pacquiao's reach is 67 inches. Victory seemed possible for the New York native if he could just keep his opponent at bay with his long arms and his strong jab.
It didn't work, as Pacquiao cut Algieri's place in his career narrative arc from latest chapter to latest footnote with 12 rounds of powerful jabs, crosses and combinations.
Nothing was out of reach for Pacquiao on Saturday at The Venetian Macao in Macau, China, and no opponent seems out of his reach when it comes to his next fight. That includes Floyd Mayweather (47-0-0).
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Pacquiao can pretty much pick and choose his next opponent, and there is at least one notable willing participant, but fans won't be satisfied unless Pac-Man fights Mayweather, the only fighter he can't simply beckon into the ring.
The 35-year-old made sure to mention the potential bout after defeating Algieri, per ESPN's Dan Rafael:
Sure, Pacquiao supporters and boxing aficionados in general will tune in to Pacquiao's next fight no matter the opponent, but it will lack a sense of prestige.
According to Mitch Abramson of the New York Daily News, Ruslan Provodnikov's name has come up as a potential opponent for Pacquiao.
This would do little to generate excitement for boxing fans. Pacquiao has nothing to prove at this point by taking on Provodnikov (23-3-0), who is a light welterweight set to take on Jose Luis Castillo on Nov. 28. He's a strong fighter, but he also happens to be the boxer Algieri defeated via split decision to score the Pacquiao match.
In light of that fact, it almost feels like a step backward for Pacquiao, although Provodnikov is a top-tier fighter in his weight class. Provodnikov would also have to move up to welterweight to turn this one into a title defense for Pacquiao.
There is also the undefeated Jessie Vargas, who convincingly defeated Antonio DeMarco on the undercard of Pacquiao-Algieri. The Las Vegas prizefighter has already taken to calling out Pacquiao, per Yahoo Sports' Kevin Iole:
"Hey Manny Pacquiao, I'm the WBA champion and I hear you want to come down to 140 [pounds]. Let's make it happen. If you want this title, [fine]. I can go up and take your title, as well. I still have a grudge, to be honest, ever since I was a kid and he beat Morales and Barrera. They were the older lions and Manny Pacquiao was a younger, more hungry fighter.
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Vargas' defense leaves something to be desired, although he threw some great power punches against DeMarco and has the enterprising Roy Jones Jr. in his corner these days, which would add some star power to a potential clash.
His willingness to fight Pacquiao is admirable, but boxing journalist Steve Kim doesn't think he boxed well enough Saturday to earn a fight against Pac-Man:
Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, talked of a possible bout against Danny Garcia (29-0) prior to the Algieri contest.
"Danny Garcia at 140, we'll go there," said Roach, via a report from Sky Sports. "There are options out there. Mayweather's not everything."
The 26-year-old Puerto Rican is a quick, energetic boxer who has scored significant wins over the likes of Amir Khan, Zab Judah and Erik Morales (twice) in recent years. He's a power puncher who would force Pacquiao to rely a bit more on his defense and not go for so many aggressive combinations.
If Pacquiao does want to move down in weight in future bouts, likely to retain his foot speed and his hand speed, Garcia would make for an exciting generational clash due to his young age and his quick rise to fame.
Still, that all pales in comparison to Mayweather, especially when Roach is teasing fans with hints of preparation for the long-awaited blockbuster.
"I'm watching tape again," said Roach, via Iole.
This potential bout is the missing piece in two otherwise sterling careers. Pitting Pacquiao—the darting, daring southpaw brawler who has won titles in eight different weight classes—against Mayweather—the undefeated master tactician—is the epic match fans of both boxers have been anticipating for years.
In terms of value for the fans, now might be a better time than ever for Mayweather-Pacquiao, as the fight would almost assuredly go a full 12 rounds. Pacquiao hasn't stopped a fight early since winning via TKO against Miguel Cotto in 2009, while Mayweather's last five bouts have gone to decision. His last knockout, against Victor Ortiz in 2011, was not without controversy.
The fight could deliver a much-needed jolt to the sport as a whole, an idea not lost on Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum.
"If boxing is to be considered a major sport the fight has to happen," Arum said, via USA Today's Martin Rodgers. "All the nonsense has to cease. Everyone should work together to make that fight happen. There are no excuses anymore. I will be at the phone. We are ready."
The talk is tempting to buy in to, even after five years of letdowns. Rodgers explained some of the potential work being done behind the scenes to make the bout happen:
"Around four months ago, Roach was a central figure in setting up a meeting between Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum and CBS chief executive Leslie Moonves, who controls the Showtime network, with whom Mayweather is four fights into a six-bout deal worth $250 million.
Since then, Arum and Moonves, who had had previously frosty relations for several years, have held advanced discussions about Pacquiao and Mayweather squaring off.
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This potential match would settle a debate in an era of boxing that has been defined by the star power of these two men.
Mayweather, 37, has two more bouts on his contract with Showtime and is aiming for a 49-0 record, tied with Rocky Marciano. He would be taking a huge risk by fighting Pacquiao so close to the end of his career, but he might win over some of his critics by taking on the most important opponent available.
Both fighters will enjoy incredible in-ring legacies, even if they never share the canvas, but it will feel like something is missing from their careers—a feeling that both fighters had unimpeachable immortality well within their reach but simply failed to grasp it.
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