Pacquiao called out for rematch ahead of old foe’s title challenge.
Manny Pacquiao had one of the greatest careers of any modern-day ring warrior, becoming the only boxer in history to win major world championships across eight weight divisions.
The punching pride of the Philippines laid waste to the likes of Oscar De La Hoya and Antonio Margarito, and he engaged in a fantastic four-fight series with Juan Manuel Márquez.
However, he also engaged in the highest-grossing boxing match of all time, squaring off with fellow superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a 2015 money-spinner that set the pay-per-view precedent for the sport.
Many fans have said that Mayweather and Pacquiao were both past their best at the time, and the fight itself is considered to have fallen short of many expectations.
However, it remains (monetarily speaking) the biggest boxing match of all time, and despite both being in their late 40s, their rematch scheduled for this September still carries a sense of intrigue.
In addition to the Mayweather rematch, Pacquiao is scheduled for an exhibition against Ruslan Provodnikov in April. However, his last win at the world level arrived against Keith Thurman in 2019.
That remains the one time “One Time” has lost, yet Thurman is set to fight WBC super-welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora this Saturday.
While Pacquiao impressively overcame size disadvantages throughout his career, he never fought a 6’5½” foe like Thurman will be doing this week. And should the 37-year-old pull off the upset against the mantis-like Fundora, Thurman has expressed interest in a rematch with Pacquiao.
“If the Pacquiao rematch came up, I’d never say no to a good fight, a good contract, and a good payday”, stated Thurman.
Thurman, despite being in his late 30s, would be the younger man by ten years against Pacquiao, and it’s safe to say that the Filipino legend has slown down since their first encounter.
Whether we see the two get it on again will depend on how Thurman does tomorrow night.
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