Boxing News: Fighting in February 2016 would be ‘risky’ for Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao is set for a return to the world of boxing early next year, once he fully recovers from a shoulder injury suffered against his fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr in May. Top Rank Promotions boss Bob Arum revealed Pacquiao could have his comeback fight as early as February. However, returning to fight as early as February would be risky for the Filipino boxing icon, who is still recovering from a torn rotator cuff.

Pacquiao’s opponent has not been named yet, but Arum has already devised a five-man list of possible foes for the Filipino boxing icon. Included in the list of possible opponents are Amir Khan, Terence Crawford, Lucas Matthysse, Kell Brook, and Juan Manuel Marquez.

However, according to Chris Williams of Boxing News 24 , fighting one of these boxers in February would be risky for Pacquiao. Williams argued that it would be safer for the former eight-division titlist to face a lesser fighter, instead of going for potential bigger money bouts if Pacquiao wants to have an impact in his first fight back from injury.

Williams also believes that if ever Pacquiao would push a fight in February, he would end up fighting Crawford, one of Arum’s Top Rank fighters. “I don’t see Pacquiao ending his contract with Top Rank, which ends in December 2016, without Arum having him fight Crawford,” Williams added.

“It’s obviously not a fight that would bring in as much money as Pacquiao’s other potential bigger money fights… but I think Arum needs Pacquiao to fight Crawford in order to turn the Nebraska native into a star for his Top Rank stable.”

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach also believes his fighter should go for the easiest opponents in his return to the boxing ring. According to Boxing Scene , Roach said he wants Pacquiao to have the easiest fight, which would see the boxer-turned-politician square off with Marquez for the fifth time.

However, Marquez has insisted that he has no intentions of fighting Pacquiao yet again. The Mexican fighter said he feels that four times is enough, and a knee problem that has persisted for over a year and half would certainly be a hindrance.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s recovery from a shoulder injury appears to be going well. After Pacquiao underwent an MRI scan on Monday for his right shoulder, the Filipino posted a picture on Instagram, saying that he has had a “very good progress” toward recovery.

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