Manny Pacquiao Fight News 2015: Amir Khan Off The Table; 8-Division Champion Could Face Timothy Bradley
Considered to be his last professional fight, the world has yet to find out who will Manny Pacquiao's next opponent be. But talks of an Amir Khan vs Pacman matchup is already out of the picture. Could the fans expect the aging fighter going toe-to-toe with Timothy Bradley for the third time?
The report from Telegraph UK cited Eddie Hearn, the Matchroom Sports promoter, claiming that Khan will not be facing against the "fighting Congressman" in 2016. The UK-based fighter will instead be attempting to nab the belt of the International Boxing Federation champion Kell Brook next summer.
"Khan is not getting the Pacquiao fight. We are talking of a summer fight between Kell and Amir and I'm very hopeful of getting the fight signed," Hearn told the media outlet.
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Meanwhile, the announcement as to who the Filipino boxer would go up against inside the ring was expected to happen on Friday, Dec. 11. Promoter Bob Arum had said that the fight will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on April 9, 2016. However, fans will have to wait as the announcement has been delayed because it is said that Pacquiao is still making up his mind.
The delay was announced on Thursday night by a spokesperson for Bob Arum, Fred Sternburg. According to an ESPN report, Sternburg said, "I was asked to tell you on Bob's behalf that, unfortunately, Top Rank will not have an announcement on truTV as originally planned as Manny is not ready to make a decision on his opponent yet."
Indications, however, are strongly pointing out to a third matchup with Pacman's 2012 opponent, Bradley, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Sources connected to Arum's promotional company, Top Rank Inc., hinted that there have already been conversations conducted by the respective camps of the athlete from the Philippines and the World Boxing Organization welterweight champion.
The latter has just reportedly won a devastating technical knockout against Brandon Rios on their Nov. 7 fight in Las Vegas. After the event, Rios (33-3-1, 24 KOs) announced that he'll finally be retiring.
The upcoming April 9 fight card could probably be the last time that the boxing fans will get to see Pacquiao (57-6-2), who will be turning 37 this week, as he seeks a high government position in his country.
Stay tuned for more updates.
