Report- Manny Pacquiao won’t fight rest of 2020

What has been educated speculation is now all but confirmed by his trainer, Manny Pacquiao won’t be fighting anytime in the rest of 2020.

This is according to a report Thursday from Keith Idec, Sr. Writer for Boxingscene.com, who spoke for Pacquiao’s longtime trainer Freddie Roach:

Roach: Pacquiao Won't Fight This Year; Will Box Once Or Twice Before Retiring https://t.co/kIanttvrCK pic.twitter.com/2Ln6LSbCcC

— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) August 27, 2020

Roach told Idec that while Pacquiao continues to train in the Philippines and participate with the Filipino Senate, it’s almost a certainty now, he’s not fighting in the next four months:

“He won’t fight this year. But if this ever goes away – and I’m not sure it will because it’s getting worse and worse, not better and better – but I think Manny will fight once or twice more before he becomes the president of his country. And then he will retire.” 

Roach went on to tell the site that an early 2021 bout could be in the U.S. or maybe, in Saudi Arabia, etc.

There is still much debate as to who has promotional control of his next fight? This, as Premier Boxing Champions re-confirmed to us at Big Fight Weekend that they believe they have the option on at least one more, if not two more, of Pacquiao’s fights.

And, that bout(s) would be on a Fox pay-per-view, as Pacquiao’s last two fights have been with them.

Pacquiao, 62-7-2,  was last in action in July of 2019 in Las Vegas. That’s when the future Hall of Famer defied his 41 year old age and handed unbeaten WBA World Welterweight champion, Keith Thurman, his first pro loss via a 12-round split decision.

Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing had asserted earlier this year that Pacquiao was somehow a free agent and that a deal could be made with former Undisputed Lightweight champion, Mikey Garcia. Garcia, who did a deal with Matchroom to promote him, is still wanting to compete at Welterweight,  despite being beaten decisively by Unified Champ Errol Spence in March 2019.

And, Hearn would love Garcia to be pitted against the iconic Pacquiao.

But, also as Idec referenced, Bob Arum of Top Rank boxing would love to have Pacquiao fight WBO Welterweight Champion Terence Crawford in what would be a mega battle on PPV. Arum was even suggesting a November date for a proposed Crawford-Pacquiao fight.

But again, neither Hearn nor Arum apparently control Pacquiao’s next move. That is up to PBC and the fighter.

And, Roach, Pacquiao (who turns 42 in December) and everyone associated with the sport knows the clock is ticking on the 1 to 2 fights remaining for him.