Promoter Bob Arum has revealed that former 8-division champion Manny Pacquiao will be fighting in the co-feature against Mike Alvarado on April 14.
According to Arum, the fight is going to be the same night as WBO welterweight world champion Jeff Horn vs. Terence Crawford at Madison Square Garden in New York City, USA.
“It’s going to be on the same night as Jeff Horn vs. Terence Crawford for the world welterweight title. We’re just waiting and we will do the announcement once Manny’s on board,” Arum said at American Bank Center.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, he said last week that he would like to face WBA world welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse than fighting Alvarado in this year.
Alvarado is a former junior welterweight world champion in 2013. He only fights weak second tier opposition nowadays.
But Arum said it is the most important to Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs) to win his fight against Alvarado because he could have a chance to face the Ukrainian Vasyl Lomachenko or the winner of the Horn and Crawford fight in November.
“This is the most important fight right now. Manny is doing what he has to do. This is a very important bout for him to go ahead and fight Vasyl Lomachenko or the winner between Horn and Crawford.” Arum said.
In July 2017, Pacquiao had beaten by Jeff Horn in controversial judges’ decision at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. The three judges scored the fight 117-111, 115-113, and 115-113.
Manny Pacquiao wants Lucas Matthysse. (Source:www.fightsaga.com)
On the other hand, Pacquiao’s long-time trainer Freddie Roach said that Pacquiao and Lomachenko (10-1-0, 8 KOs) will be on their way fight.
“Lomachenko’s next fight will be in the 135 lbs and he and Manny will face in the 140 lbs (later this year),” Roach said.
Last December, Pacquiao challenged UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor on social media. The Filipino claimed that he had begun talks for a fight against McGregor in April.
“Happy Thanksgiving! Keep in shape my friend #realboxingmatch # 2018,” Pacquiao wrote on his Twitter and Instagram account.
Pacquiao, who was also beaten by undefeated Mayweather in 2015, said McGregor was only one of the possible opponents for his next fight.
A rematch against Horn, or a fight against the American Keith Thurman, WBA super welterweight champion, and WBC welterweight champion, is also possible.
