IN ANY combat sport like boxing or MMA, or in sports in general, the real battle is not when the bell rings or the buzzer sounds. After the long, arduous preparation, the real battle begins in the locker room, for it is where final strategies are laid down. It becomes the war room.
This is where the battle secrets are kept, hidden from the prying eyes of the opponent’s camp, or even the media.
The locker room was a silent witness when Manny Pacquiao tried to conceal his shoulder injury when he fought Floyd Mayweather and lost by decision in May this year in a fight that was marketed to be the Fight of the Century. Of course, it was not to be.
Prior to the fight, Pacquiao was kept by the Nevada Athletic Commission from taking a pre-fight shot in the locker room to treat his shoulder injury. The few people who knew about Pacquiao’s injury were all there and kept silent about it.
For this enthusiast, the locker room represents the source of information that is reserved only for the inner circle.
Now, this enthusiast is willing to tell more, if not all, restricted information behind the news.
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Let’s begin with Sarangani congressman Pacquiao’s next stint in the ring.
A source close to Congressman Pacquiao said the Pambansang Kamao plans to hold his next fight in Manila in April next year. And it could be his farewell fight in the ring.
There is no particular venue floated around, but the most obvious choice should be the 50,000-seat Philippine Arena, a world-class sports facility in Bulacan owned by the powerful religious sect Iglesia ni Kristo.
Business mogul Manny Pangilinan, a long-time commercial backer of Pacquiao, is said to be interested in making the Manila fight possible.
If this is true, then it’s something that has to be planned out carefully.
The planned Manila fight augurs well with Pacquiao’s candidacy for senator. He is running under the banner of the United Nationalists Alliance of Vice President Jejomar Binay, who will be going after the presidency.
Yes, it’s definitely a big boost to his candidacy but the rigorous campaign sorties could affect his training for the fight.
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April is still part of the campaign period and Manny will have to divide his time joining provincial campaign sorties or he could just elect to focus on his training, while getting free publicities that are not part of the election campaign ads that fall under the regulation of the Commission on Elections.
The last time Manny fought before his countrymen was in 2006 when he won via unanimous decision over Mexican Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum to retain the WBC International Superfeatherweight title.
Pacquiao’s stature in boxing has grown tremendously big since then, becoming the only boxer to have won eight world division titles. He’s currently title-less, but remains a top draw, especially among Filipino boxing fans.
That’s why everybody in boxing still wants to have a piece of Pacquiao even at the tailend of his career.
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Pacquiao wanted a rematch with Floyd, hoping to be at his best and without injury, as he seeks another crack against the undefeated American. Floyd, however, dismissed the idea right away.
Several names have cropped up as possible opponents for Pacquiao. Here are some of them according to his priorities:
Manny Pacquiao vs. Amir Khan. Among the possible foes, Khan has the inside track. He has been talking a lot recently and even hoped for a fight with Floyd, who instead chose and beat Andre Berto.
Then Khan aimed for Pacquiao. Khan has lost three of his last six fights. Khan is now regarded as one of the best fighters in the welterweight division, winning five fights in a row since moving from the lightwelterweight division.
Even Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, seems to approve of this match-up, saying he will make it easy for the fighters if both of them agrees to a fight.
Arum revealed that a group in the Middle East is interested to put up the fight there. But of course, Manila may still be a priority venue if Pacquiao insists.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez V
This should be very difficult to happen as the semi-retired Marquez already ditched the idea long ago. But then, the Mexican star can still be attracted by another huge payday.
Pacquiao won two, drew one and lost the last against Marquez in one of the longest, and most followed rivalries in boxing history. For the fifth time? Yes it’s still possible and remains very interesting, especially for the Filipino fans, aching for a Pacquiao revenge after that one-punch TKO victory by the Mexican in their last fight.
Manny Pacquiao vs.Timothy Bradley III
This should be interesting to watch as Timothy prefers to trade punches with Pacquiao, although very cautiously. Although they split their two matches as Bradley won by controversial decision and the second a convincing decision for Pacquiao, the third should be a similarly easy win for Pacquiao. This can’t be possible, especially due to differences in TV contracts between Showtime and HBO.