For the umpteenth time, a Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather rematch is off the shelf. Now, the eight-time division champion diverts his focus on either Danny Garcia or Keith Thurman for his next fight on July 13.
The announcement was made international matchmaker Sean Gibbons on Tuesday. Ironically, the revelation came not long after Floyd Mayweather Jr. stood up Philippine media who gathered at the Resorts World Hotel for a scheduled presser.
According to the Manila Bulletin, the presser was originally set at 3:00 p.m. at the Grand Bar but Mayweather opted to skip the affair. Joee Guilas, the head of Corporate Communication of the hotel apologized to the media who were made to wait for roughly 8 hours.
Hopes were high that a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather rematch would bear some fruit. But in the end, the outcome was not any different from previous meetings between the two boxing icons. The Flamboyant One was in town for a brief vacation although he had time to sit down with local beauty doctor Vicki Belo in Makati.
As for Pacquiao's next opponent, Garcia and Thurman are ironically under the same stable handled by Al Haymon, Premier Boxing Champions. But of the two, the pressure may be on the 31-year-old Garcia.
Garcia is scheduled to face Adrian Granados on Apr. 20 at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California for the vacant WBC Silver welterweight title. A loss could easily catapult Thurman as Pacquiao's dance partner in July.
Thurman saw action last Jan. 26 at the Barclays Center in New York, a week after Pacquiao defeated Adrien Broner. He successfully retained his WBA Super Welterweight title following a majority decision over Josesito Lopez.
But choosing his next opponent is not expected to be a stroll in the park for Pacquiao. Likely factoring in as well as the fact that clash Garcia and Thurman had in March 2017. The 30-year-old Thurman won via split decision over Garcia to retain his WBA title and also cop the WBC welterweight title.
From hindsight, it seems that the logical choice is to fight Thurman if Pacquiao wants to give the boxing world a show. Hence, the pressure is upon Garcia to deliver against his opponent and finish him off convincingly.
If records are to be a basis, Thurman could be a more interesting fight as well. He has so far won 29 of his 30 fights, 22 coming of knockouts. One fight was ruled a no contest.
Garcia, on the other hand, is looking to rebound after losing to Shawn Porter in September of last year. It was one of only two losses on his resume - the other one, of course, dealt by Thurman.
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