Manny Pacquiao is moving forward with plans to fight in mid-July.
There’s no opponent, but Errol Spence Jr. and Mikey Garcia are at the top of his list.
There’s no site, but Saudi Arabia is a potential destination.
“My plan is to get back into the ring this coming July, second or third week in July,’’ Pacquiao told ANC, a Filipino TV network. “Training should start in April, May, June. We have enough time.”
More problematic, perhaps, is the coronavirus pandemic, which forced several cancellations this week. Top Rank canceled two cards, one featuring Shakur Stevenson-Miguel Marriaga Saturday and another one on Tuesday featuring Mick Conlan, both in New York. Boxing is off the calendar in California through at least the end of March.
In time, the virus is expected to subside. In time, it’ll be business as usual. But how much time? Nobody knows, prompting further speculation that the reported Canelo Alvarez-Billy Joe Saunders bout on May 2 will be postponed.
It’s hard to plan on much of anything. For now, Pacquiao is only certain that he’ll be free from his duties in the Filipino Senate long enough for a mid-summer return to the ring in what would be his first bout since a split-decision over Keith Thurman last July in Las Vegas.
If it’s Spence, Pacquiao said he will have to prepare for a big welterweight with power.
“My assessment is Spence is the kind of boxer who can move, a slugger,” Pacquiao said. “If we’re going to fight, I need to focus on strategy, hand speed, footwork.’’
If it’s Garcia, Pacquiao said he will have to get ready for a fighter with a different skill set.
“Mikey Garcia is a brawler, aggressive,’’ the 41-year-old Pacquiao said. “He’s got different techniques also.’’
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who worked with Garcia in his unanimous decision over Jessie Vargas on Feb. 29, is hoping to stage Garcia-Pacquiao in Saudi Arabia on July 11.
“That’s a date we’re working on, yeah,’’ Hearn told beIN Sports. “I love the fight, and I feel it’s one of the biggest fights in boxing. Again, Saudi Arabia asked me to develop a card in July. Someone they like a lot is Manny Pacquiao, a legend in the sport.’’