Manny Pacquiao ‘not ready’ to name next opponent tonight
A spokesperson for Manny Pacquiao says the boxer isn’t ready to name his next opponent.
Manny Pacquiao is no longer expected to reveal his next opponent on Friday night’s truTV boxing telecast from Puerto Rico.
“Manny is not ready to make a decision yet,” a Pacquiao spokesman said.
Pacquiao, in what will be his return bout from his May 2 unanimous-decision loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr., is scheduled to fight April 9 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
His promoter, Bob Arum, said it will be Pacquiao’s final bout as he pursues a senate seat in the Philippines.
Pacquiao reaggravated a training-camp shoulder injury in the Mayweather loss and required surgery and an extensive layoff for healing. Pacquiao turns 37 on Thursday.
It appeared Pacquiao was close to selecting Timothy Bradley for a third meeting.
The World Boxing Organization welterweight world champion from Cathedral City was impressive Nov. 7, defeating Brandon Rios by 10th-round technical knockout.
Unbeaten junior-welterweight champion Terence Crawford is also in consideration after Arum’s talks with Pacquiao’s former stable-mate and former junior-welterweight champion Amir Khan crashed.
The truTV broadcast, featuring gifted Puerto Rican lightweight contender Felix Verdejo and 2012 fighter of the year Nonito Donaire in separate bouts at Roberto Clemente Coliseum, will be shown at 10 p.m. Pacific (tape-delayed) or 7 p.m. Pacific on some systems.
Follow Lance Pugmire on Twitter @latimespugmire
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