Royal pretenders in Manny’s shadow
Even as Manny Pacquiao has declared his retirement from boxing, there is a lingering notion that sooner or later, he’ll be back in the ring to reclaim the world welterweight crown that was once his, casting a dark shadow on title pretenders Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Kell Brook and Jessie Vargas.
After Pacquiao defeated Timothy Bradley in their rubber match in Las Vegas two weekends ago, he announced his retirement. But he left the door open for a comeback, saying if the fans want him to continue fighting, he’ll think about it. “My heart is 50-50,” said the 37-year-old fighter who’s the only man ever to capture world titles in eight different divisions. “I love my family. But boxing is a very difficult sport to leave. I may enjoy retired life. But I won’t know until I get there. My family wants me to retire and I will spend more time with them and focus on serving the people.”
Pacquiao’s archrival Floyd Mayweather, 39, has also hung up his gloves. Unlike Pacquiao, Mayweather has repeatedly denied speculation he’ll return to try to raise his record to 50-0. His father Floyd Sr., however, has hinted of a comeback if the money is right. “Smart money says it’s likely neither boxer will stay retired,” said USA Today’s Bob Velin.
Even Bradley, 32, has taken a back step from the fight game. “I’ve got to go back to the drawing board, regroup and see if I want to fight,” said Bradley whose wife Monica manages his career. It’s not certain if Bradley will rehire trainer Teddy Atlas in case he decides to fight on. Atlas replaced Bradley’s long-time trainer Joel Diaz last year and has worked his corner twice.
While Pacquiao and Mayweather are in some kind of suspended animation mulling their future as boxers, the welterweight division moves forward with four world champions. For some reason, fans refuse to accept their retirement. That’s because they’re still capable of fighting at a high level. Pacquiao, for instance, was masterful in flooring the durable Bradley twice enroute to a convincing win on points last April 9. And Mayweather beat Pacquiao last May in the richest fight in history. Mayweather went on to decision Andre Berto in his swan song and improved his record to 49-0. With Pacquiao now injury-free and displaying his moves of the past in dismantling Bradley, fans are wondering if he’ll be able to deal Mayweather his first loss in a rematch.
The four world welterweight champions could provide stiff opposition for either Pacquiao or Mayweather so it’s not as if there’s a dearth of talent in the 147-pound class. Thurman, 27, is the WBA titlist with a 26-0 record, including 22 KOs. He stands 5-7 1/2 and has a 69-inch wingspan. Thurman has a rich amateur background with over 100 wins and turned pro in 2007. He’s coming off a seventh round disposal of southpaw Luis Callazo. On June 25, Thurman stakes his WBA crown against Shawn Porter in Brooklyn.
Garcia, 28, boasts a 32-0 record, with 18 KOs. The Puerto Rican previously held the WBC/WBA lightwelterweight belts. Among Garcia’s victims are former world champions Amir Khan, Kendall Holt, Nate Campbell, Lamont Peterson and Erik Morales. Garcia is known as the man who retired Morales in 2012. He took the WBC title vacated by Mayweather on his retirement, defeating Robert Guerrero last January.
Brook, 25, is the IBF ruler with a 36-0 record, including 25 KOs. His last three wins came within the distance. The Yorkshire brawler has fought all his bouts in the UK except for two – in 2011, knocking out Luis Galarza in Atlantic City and in 2014, beating Porter via a majority decision in Carson City.
Vargas, 26, won the WBO crown relinquished by Bradley in Washington, D. C., last March. Bradley surrendered the throne because he would’ve been stripped of the title for opting to face Pacquiao for $4 Million than defending against mandatory No. 1 challenger Sadam Ali for much less. Vargas stopped Ali in the ninth round for the vacant title.
Last June, Vargas was outpointed by Bradley but came close to scoring a knockout in the 12th round. Bradley was nearly out on his feet when referee Pat Russell stepped in to end the contest, thinking the warning from the 10-second clapper was the final bell. If the fight went on for another 10 seconds, Vargas could’ve knocked out Bradley. It was the same situation with Pacquiao in the rubber match. Pacquiao himself said he would’ve halted Bradley if the final bell didn’t come to his rescue.