Reports out of the Philippines are that contrary to reports last night, Manny Pacquiao is not willing to fight on March 13 or May 1 against Floyd Mayweather Jr. or anyone else. The Filipino superstar wants to wait until after the May elections in his home country before focusing on boxing again. That would likely put his next fight in September 2010.
Pacquiao's lawyer, Franklin Gacal, yesterday told The STAR that the reigning pound-for-pound champion has come to a decision the other night that his next fight will come after the May 10 elections.
"As of last night, Manny said he doesn't want to fight in April or even May. There will be no fight. Maybe it will come after the elections," said Gacal.
This is a bit of a bummer. I understand that Pacquiao has serious intents with a political career, but as a boxing fan I just want to see him in the ring, and we have to see him fight Mayweather. Floyd's ready to go. Manny apparently is not.
Should he wait until September as it now seems he will, that would be a 10-month layoff, and if Mayweather didn't fight in the interim, a year off for Floyd. I'd guess there'll be some sort of "stay sharp" fight for Floyd in the spring if this is the case, though.