By Cassandra Cousineau
LVsportsBiz.com
It was suggested that Pacquiao may had lost a step at 40. Not so. Boxing’s only eight-division champion is 62-7-2 and after 71 fights he’s as close to being in his prime at 40 than he was at 20.
“At this age 40 I don’t think that I’m 40. I’m thinking I’m in my late 20s. That’s what I feel like right now,” Pacquiao told LVSportsBiz.com.
So what could possibly be next for Pacquiao? Making a MayPac 2 would be easier contractually than the first fight in 2015 because two already have a business relationship in place.
Similar to other non-retired welterweights like Errol Spence, Terence Crawford, and Shawn Porter, Pacquiao is also promoted by Mayweather’s manager, Al Haymon, the Premier Boxing Championship (PBC) founder.
LVSportsBiz.com asked Pacquiao about the irony of Mayweather Promotions being part of the business side of what he does.
“ I like supporting the boxing industry,” the Pacman said. “We want the sport’s success.”
There’s enough connective business tissue between Pacquiao and Mayweather in the deal to at least suggest a potential rematch. The foundation of that Pacman vs Money Mayweather rematch is beginning to formulate on social media.
Leonard Ellerbe, president of Mayweather Promotions, had nothing but praise for the oldest welterweight champion in history.
“He’s a great human being. He’s a great fighter,” Ellerbe said of Pacquiao. “He’s someone I have a great deal of respect for. He’s giving people hope and reason to get out there and fulfill their dreams.”
When asked who Pacquiao, the Filipino senator, would fight next, he quipped, “He holds all the cards. He’s calling all the shots. Everybody has to come see him now.”
That’s not just hyperbole. Pacquiao earned a guaranteed $10 million for the Thurman fight and his international drawing power remains evident.
With the Pacquiao-Thurman fight drawing an announced attendance of 14,356, Pacquiao is third only to Mayweather and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez among athletes to produce the biggest live gates in Las Vegas.
After ascending from a fifth grade education to holding a seat in the Filipino Senate, Pacquiao doesn’t need to box again to be considered as one of the most accomplished athletes in boxing. But he’s still piling up the wins and, most importantly, enough cash for both Pacquiao and his promoters.
The very thing Mayweather cares about more than his legacy? Money.
After Saturday’s fight, Pacquiao was asked about a potential rematch with Mayweather. He said he would take the fight if Mayweather was to return to the ring.
”I don’t have an idea,” he said. “My plan this time is one fight at a time. He’s in retirement and he’s enjoying his retirement. He’s inactive. If he’s willing to come back and willing to fight me, then at the time he will announce it, we can say yes.”
The Mayweather-Pacquiao fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena in 2015 generated a record 4.6 million pay-per-view buys, earning $600 million for the snooze fest. Mayweather wo the bout on points.
Pacquaio’s performance against Thurmon had fans calling for a rematch with Mayweather, all but guaranteeing a gigantic haul for both fighters.
Despite both men being past the age of 40, (Mayweather is currently 42) and the general disappointment of their first bout, there is little doubt a rematch would still be the biggest draws of the year if it were to come to fruition.
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