Manny Pacquiao isn’t done fighting yet, but he should be—at least until September.
According to Ronnie Nathanielsz of BoxingScene.com, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has his eyes on a fifth fight between Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez for some time in September.
While the prospect of another bout between Marquez and Pac-Man is exciting, it is what happens between now and September that will be the most intriguing.
Pacquiao may fight again in April in a tune-up bout somewhere outside the United States, but legendary trainer Freddie Roach is not happy with that prospect and wants Pac-Man to simply train until he can have his rematch with Marquez in September (via SI.com)
What this means for Pacquiao is a division between people in his own circle. Promoters want to get Pac-Man in the ring, producing interest and generating money. Roach wants Pacquiao healthy and prepared for another big match with the man who recently knocked him out for his second-straight loss.
What Pac-Man wants will be the deciding factor. Given his desire to keep fighting, he may just come down on the other side of his trainer.
Regardless of what is decided, the right choice is to wait until September for another fight with Marquez.
Pacquiao is 34, but no one can fight forever. He’s had a remarkable career, and few are suggesting Pacquiao hang up his gloves just yet. But it may be the right time in his career for Pacquiao to space out his fights and focus more on training.
A fight in April outside the country against less-than-stellar opponents may serve as a live-action tune-up for Pacquiao, but it seems to be more about the promotion and money than Pac-Man's training for a big fight in September.
There is still a lot of fight left in Pacquiao, but he should focus his energy on preparing for Marquez—not making promoters happy.
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