[ad_1]
Manny Pacquiao believes that the favorite to be his next opponent is Mikey Garcia, but maintains that there is still a possibility that he could face the current one.
The former eight-weight world champion is expected to fight one or two more times this year before finally hanging up his gloves to fully focus on his position as a senator in his native Philippines.
Current lightweight prospect Ryan Garcia was linked to an exhibition fight against Pacquiao for a time, but “King Ry” recently admitted that it is not likely to be finalized.
Meanwhile, the namesake Mikey has reigned as world champion in four weight classes, competing regularly in Manny’s preferred welterweight class and looking to end an absence from the ring as long as legend, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. .
“We’re leaning towards Mikey Garcia, but we’re also talking to Crawford,” Pacquiao told ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo, transcribed by Boxing Scene, who reports that a May date might be feasible.
“It depends on who I face, the important thing is that I am ready.
“We have never gotten really complacent, we have always worked continuously. We continue to play basketball in addition to boxing. In fact, right after my last fight with [Keith] Thurman, I didn’t exercise boxing, but I kept playing basketball. “
While Crawford is one of the division’s elite and Pacquiao’s most intriguing clash if it happened, Garcia wouldn’t be a mismatch.
The 33-year-old Californian is 40-1 with 30 knockouts to his name, and the only fighter to have surpassed him as a professional so far is Errol Spence Jr, who like Crawford is an undefeated welterweight world champion.
In his time out of the ring, Pacquiao has focused on helping his nation overcome the pandemic.
He continued: “We will continue to give, we will continue to help as much as we can, even in small ways. I’d love to be able to help everyone, but our resources are limited so we’ll do our best, no problem. The only thing I can assure people is that as long as I can help, I will do my best. “
