THE choice of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent for a tentative return to the ring on April 9, is apparently all about money.
Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz told The Standard/boxingmirror.com that while “there is no rush to make a decision,” which has been postponed more than once, the two names that have figured prominently in the choice of an opponent are World Boxing Council welterweight silver champion Amir Khan and world champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley.
Undefeated Terrence Crawford, who has been pushed by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, is also being considered.
But Koncz said he isn’t quite keen to have Pacquiao face Crawford.
“It doesn’t matter who is going to be the best fight. It’s what the numbers determine and maximizes Manny’s return,” the longtime Pacquiao adviser said.
At the same time, Koncz added: “Amir is going to generate more than Bradley on pay-per-view, but the question is, will he be reasonable in his purse.”
Earlier this year when Pacquiao visited London for a private dinner with Prince Harry, he and Koncz met with Khan and his people in a old boxing gym and agreed to face each other later this year.
But Pacquiao’s clash with undefeated pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. scuttled the Khan plans, as the Filipino and Mayweather engaged in the Fight of the Century last May 2.
In that fight, Pacquiao claimed he hurt his right shoulder in Round 4 and underwent surgery for a rotator cuff tear on May 5 in Los Angeles, from which he has reportedly recovered.