Pacman: See you in 2020

Manny Pacquiao does not think he will fight again this year but he will be ringside at Staples Center in Los Angeles in September for Errol Spence Jr. versus Shawn Porter.

The new World Boxing Association (WBA) super champion thus officially debunked the claim of Amir Khan that a fight has been “signed off and done” between him and Pacquiao for 8 November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Pacquiao’s team immediately denied any contract has been signed while the senator himself said post-fight that he does not plan to return to the ring until next year as he focuses on his role as a senator.

The 40-year-old Pacquiao is reportedly flying out of Las Vegas via a private plane as soon as possible to be able to catch President Duterte deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address at around 3 p.m. on Monday.

International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Spence will clash with World Boxing Council holder Porter in another 147-pound title unification match on 28 September.

Pacquiao said Keith Thurman’s trash talk in the build-up to the fight did not affect him.

“I’m not the kind off boxer to be a talker, just promoting the fight. I think we did a lot of things [to promote the fight]. He did his best, and I did my best to make the people happy.”

Thurman, gracious in defeat, admitted he got beaten by the better man and thanked the fans and Pacquiao for a great night.

“I want to thank the fans,” he said. “I want to thank everybody for coming out. This was a beautiful night of boxing. Manny Pacquiao is a great, truly great champion.” (thenationalae.com)

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