MANILA: Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao said on Wednesday he was in talks for a blockbuster bout with world champion Vasyl Lomachenko, widely considered the best “pound-for-pound” fighter on the planet.
Pacquiao, 39, who has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions, is eyeing an April date with the Ukrainian World Boxing Organization superfeatherweight champ during a break from his duties as a Philippines senator.
“There are negotiations now about the number one pound-for-pound (boxer) which is Lomachenko,” Pacquiao said in an interview on ABS-CBN television.
“There are still talks on the weight, reducing the weight,” said Pacquiao, who has been fighting as a welterweight.
Pacquiao aides told AFP there has been no agreement on the venue and the actual date of the Lomachenko fight.
Rated by boxing experts as the world’s top “pound-for-pound” fighter, Lomachenko, 29, has lost just once in 11 pro bouts and won all the others by knockout.
Pacquiao, whose loss of his WBO welterweight title to Australia’s Jeff Horn last year left his record standing at 59 wins, seven losses and two draws, is now in the twilight of his career.
The Filipino southpaw retired briefly in 2016 but made a comeback to retake his WBO title from Jessie Vargas just months later. He has not scored a knockout win in the past eight years.
In contrast Lomachenko cemented his status last year after retaining his WBO junior lightweight title.
Lomachenko, who won gold in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, rocketed to the top of his weight class after turning pro in 2013, winning nine world championship fights in his first 11 contests.
Pacquiao, who has not climbed the ring since the Horn loss, said last month he had opened talks to fight mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor in April.
But the Irishman said he wanted his next bout to be a return to the octagon after losing a boxing bout to unbeaten Floyd Mayweather by a 10th-round technical knockout in their much-hyped fight in Las Vegas in August last year.
On Wednesday, Pacquiao rejected calls for him to retire for good, adding he did not believe his recent losses tarnished his record.
“You know, I miss boxing,” Pacquiao said, adding he was “still okay.”
Pacquiao, elected a senator in 2016, said he would only train for three months for an April fight so he did not neglect his legislative duties.
“That’s more than enough.”
Pacquiao said Wednesday he was also open to fighting British boxer Amir Khan but said any fight would have to be done in April when the Philippine Congress would go on break.
Manny Pacquiao says he is in talks to fight world champion Vasyl Lomachenko
Manny Pacquiao says he is in talks to fight world champion Vasyl Lomachenko
Four champions crowned as WBC Boxing Grand Prix concludes in Riyadh
- Riyadh Season continues to attract major international sporting events and reinforce Riyadh’s growing presence on the global sports stage
RIYADH: The WBC Boxing Grand Prix concluded on Saturday at Boulevard City in Riyadh Season with four closely contested finals, all decided by unanimous decision, bringing an eight-month international tournament to a dramatic close.
The final fight night saw world titles decided across four weight divisions, with each champion receiving the World Boxing Council’s championship belt along with a $100,000 prize, while runners-up earned $50,000.
Australia’s Dylan Biggs claimed the middleweight title after securing a unanimous decision victory in a bout defined by physical strength and tactical discipline, writing his name into the history of the inaugural edition of the tournament.
In the heavyweight final, Argentina’s Kevin Ramirez was crowned champion after defeating Bosnia’s Ahmed Krnjic by unanimous decision. Ramirez controlled the contest throughout, earning sustained applause from the Riyadh crowd as he lifted the trophy.
The featherweight division title went to Mexico’s Brandon Mejia Mosqueda, who overcame Italy’s Mohamed Gamli by unanimous decision in a fast-paced contest that highlighted his speed and technical ability, and reinforced his status as one of the division’s emerging talents.
Colombia’s Carlos Otria secured the super lightweight crown after a competitive and high-tempo bout against Uzbekistan’s Mujibullah Tursunov. Following sustained exchanges over the rounds, the judges awarded Otria a unanimous decision.
All four finals were staged under professional regulations approved by the WBC, within an organisational framework designed to provide rising talents with a global platform. The event reflected the continued partnership between Riyadh Season and the WBC, aimed at raising international competition standards and showcasing emerging boxers.
The tournament began in April, featuring 128 boxers from more than 40 countries competing across multiple stages. The initiative was launched last December by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and president of the Saudi Arabian Boxing Federation, in partnership with the WBC, with the aim of creating a global pathway for young fighters to compete at the highest level.
The conclusion of the WBC Boxing Grand Prix highlighted the tournament’s strong fan engagement and organisational success, as Riyadh Season continues to attract major international sporting events and reinforce Riyadh’s growing presence on the global sports stage.
