MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao is not running out of options regarding his next fight, tentatively set April 9 or exactly one month before the elections.
The Filipino boxing megastar will soon have to choose and name his opponent. The candidates are Amir Khan, Terence Crawford and Timothy Bradley.
Bob Arum, his promoter, told The STAR the other day that Pacquiao’s next fight is set at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
But if you ask Pacquiao himself, there’s no definite venue.
First, he said he wants his next fight, which also could be his last, staged at the massive Philippine Arena which is just outside Manila.
And speaking to reporters in Dubai the other day, the 36-year-old superstar said he wants his next fight in the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates.
There are approximately 450,000 Filipinos residing in Dubai, representing close to 21 percent of the city’s entire population.
“Yes we are working on it right now. We are trying our best to bring the fight to Dubai,” Pacquiao said as published by the Khaleej Times in the UAE.
Pacquiao is in Dubai for a Philippine Basketball Association game Friday.
He was paraded around town the other day, and met with his Filipino fans. He took countless selfies with his supporters and spoke to the press.
Pacquiao said he likes Dubai.
According to Arum, Pacquiao will soon choose his next opponent.
“Nothing has been finalized as of now. As soon as I return to the Philippines and meet my promoter, we will have something concrete in our hands,” Pacquiao said.
“So I can’t guarantee you now, but yes, there is a very good chance that my next fight will be in Dubai next year,” he told the Khaleej Times.
Pacquiao is running in the May 2016 elections, and he said if he becomes senator he might hang up his gloves.
The eight-division world champion said his first visit to Dubai definitely won’t be his last.
He might even fight there.