Manny Pacquiao
WBO welterweight champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (C) waves to his fans during a victory parade in Manila November 27, 2014. The country's boxing hero Pacquiao outclassed American challenger Chris Algieri to retain his WBO welterweight title in Macau on Sunday, knocking down the American, who was undefeated in 20 professional fights, six times in the 12-round title fight. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

Negotiations for the superfight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have reached an impasse lately over a number of small issues that were reportedly holding up the fight from coming to fruition. Pacquiao, who has just returned to his hometown in General Santos City, Philippines after a long trip overseas, is expected to begin training for his next fight even though he doesn’t have any official opponent in place yet.

As seen on Pacquiao’s recent Instagram post, it appears that an announcement for his next fight could take place in no time. The eight-division world champion shared a picture where he is holding his youngest son Israel and teased the fans for the long-awaited mega-buck fight.

“More than anything that is very important is when you serve the Lord and spend time with the family before the serious training for the upcoming fight,” Pacquiao wrote on Instagram. “Fight who?????? Hehehe I’m excited for this.”

Pacquiao has voiced his optimism that a deal for the Mayweather fight could be finalised within a week during an interview with Chris Wallace of Fox News. He said that he is hoping to hear from Mayweather’s camp soon so that the fight that every boxing fan is craving will be officially set. He also told Wallace that he doesn’t have any plans of retiring from the sport without fighting Mayweather. Pacquiao said that if he leaves boxing without stepping on the ring with undefeated Mayweather, it will leave a big question to the minds of every boxing fan who craves the fight.

However, Pacquiao’s camp has a back-up plan just in case the Mayweather fight doesn’t push through. Top Rank President Bob Arum told ESPN that Pacquiao’s former sparring partner Amir Khan is the top contender. Arum added that they are also considering Russian fighter Ruslan Provodnikov and Argentine junior welterweight champion Lucas Matthyse as Pacquiao’s possible next opponents if the negotiations for a fight with Mayweather fall apart.

Both Pacquiao and Mayweather’s camps have stated their earnest desires in making the fight happen. However, the longer it takes for the issues surrounding the fight to be settled, the less excitement the boxing fans feel about it.

Pacquiao has a professional record of 57-5-2. Mayweather, on the other hand, has a record 0f 47-0-0 with 26 knockout wins.

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