Manny Pacquiao appears to be taking a different route for his next ring appearance as he names his one condition for a potential showdown with Gervonta Davis.
The 46-year-old Filipino legend made a sensational return to the ring last month when he challenged reigning WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19. Although the outcome was a majority draw, most thought ‘PacMan’ had done enough to get his hand raised.
Despite rumours circulating that Pacquiao could go face-to-face with Barrios in a rematch, the Filipino icon’s manager Sean Gibbons has now ruled this out whilst speaking to The Mayweather Channel, and stated Gervonta Davis was on the list as the potential next opponent.
“F–k Mario Barrios. Who the f–k wants to see him? Manny Pacquiao beat Mario Barrios. F–k Mario Barrios. Not in a bad way, I like him, but f–k him. Manny Pacquiao beat Mario Barrios. Why should he, why does he need to fight him again? You know, if Manny wants to continue fighting, there’s fighters like Rolly Romero, there’s fighters like Gervonta Davis.”
In the build up to the Barrios fight Pacquiao made it clear he would welcome a fight against ‘Tank’ and in an interview with Seconds Out made it clear what weight a bout with the WBA world lightweight champion would need to take place at.
“If he want, then if he come up to 147 then we can fight … 145 maybe.”
Davis had been pencilled in to face former rival Lamont Roach Jr in a rematch next, although these plans appear to have been shelved after negotiations ‘went quiet’.
Pacquiao has revealed he is expected to return to the ring in December and a formal announcement on his next opponent is expected soon.
