Current WBA World Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquiao is currently in the gym training for his next fight and has confirmed a new fight announcement coming soon.
Training camp has begun. I’m ready to get back in the ring and to further add to my legacy in the sport of boxing. Big news coming soon. @ParadigmSports @AudieAttar
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) February 9, 2021
While it is still unknown who Pacquiao will be boxing next, many people are speculating that it is possibly undefeated and current #1 WBC contender Ryan Garcia. However, Garcia is represented by Golden Boy, and they have been recently resisting the crossover to allow Garcia to fight Pacquiao.
The resistance to allow Garcia to fight Pacquiao could be due to contract agreements on Pacquiao’s team. It is rumored that Pacquiao has at least one more fight with Premier Boxing Champions before he can pursue other fighting options.
Another plausible option for Pacquiao’s next fight could be current WBO champion, Terence Crawford. Still, the holdup is finding a place to hold the bout that will allow in-person capacity needed for the fight.
Mikey Garcia has also recently called Pacquiao out over social media, asking him if he is ready to fight a real fighter. Pacquiao has ignored his online antics, but some sportsbooks are offering odds on the possible bout.
There was also a lot of talk about Pacquiao fighting UFC legend Conor McGregor, but those talks have since fizzled out after McGregor’s loss to Dustin Poirier in UFC 257. While it is still a possibility in the future, it looks like Pacquiao has moved on from those talks.
Online sportsbooks that cater to Philippine residents currently have odds for both Mikey Garcia and McGregor vs. Pacquiao. However, they are future odds and are only valid if the fights happen. Below are Pacquiao’s current boxing odds for his possible 2021 fights from BetOnline.
- Pacquiao, Manny -125
- Garcia, Mikey -105
- Pacquiao, Manny -2200
- McGregor, Conor +850
As one would imagine, Pacquiao is a huge favorite against Conor McGregor in the boxing ring at -2200; however, his odds are closer with Mikey Garcia, but he still has the odds edge.
Pacquiao critics say that his age and time off between fights could compromise his chances of winning another big fight, but that won’t change his intentions when entering the ring.
