Manny Pacquiao reveals shortlist of names for his next fight

Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao 62-7-2 (39) has narrowed down his next opponent to a former and current world champion.

The 42-year-old, who holds the WBA welterweight championship after defeating previously undefeated Keith Thurman 29-1 (22) by split decision in his last fight in July 2019, is in negotiations with Mikey Garcia 40-1 (30) and WBO welterweight champion Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford 37-0 (28).

“We’re leaning towards Mikey Garcia, but we’re also talking to Crawford. It depends on who I get to face, what’s important is I’m ready,” Pacquiao told ABS-CBN.

“We never really got complacent, we’ve always continuously worked out. We keep on playing basketball aside from boxing. Actually, right after my fight the last time with Thurman, I didn’t work out boxing, but I kept playing basketball.”

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Pacquiao had demanded $40 million earlier this year to face UFC star Conor McGregor but demand for that fight waned when the mixed martial artist was knocked out in the second round by Dustin Poirier in the Octagon.

Pacquiao said at the time: “I like to fight somebody who has a title. We told Bob [Arum] I get $40m and Crawford gets $10m.

“I will fight anybody. You know me, I don’t back away from any challenge.”

Crawford’s promoter Bob Arum recently said that they are aiming for a fight against Pacquiao in the Middle East but if that fight can’t be made, they will look at facing former world champion Shawn ‘Showtime’ Porter 31-3-1 (17).

“The Pacquiao group is working with people in the Middle East, who are real people and that are going to finance this,” the Top Rank chairman said.