Manny Pacquiao is scheduled to rematch Floyd Mayweather in September, but his preparations may have already been hindered, following complications regarding his planned ‘tune-up’ fight.
Pacquiao made his professional comeback to the sport back in July, where he fought to a draw against then WBC welterweight champion, Mario Barrios.
‘Pac Man’ had been in hot pursuit of another shot at world honours, with plans to break his own world record as the oldest ever welterweight world champion, but he has now put that on ice to agree a lucrative rematch with Mayweather.
Ahead of their second encounter, Pacquiao also signed to face former WBO super-lightweight world champion Ruslan Provodnikov in a 10-round exhibition bout on Saturday, April 18, in Las Vegas.
Steve Kim recently reported that the event has been postponed and will instead take place in June. However, in an interview with Fastbreak, Pacquiao admitted that he is uncertain as to whether the contest will take place at all.
“Not sure yet… even if it’s just a tune-up fight.”
Whilst Provodnikov has not fought professionally since defeat to John Molina Jnr almost a decade ago, ‘The Russian Rocky’ has boxed in exhibitions, with his most recent outing taking place last May against a 51-year-old Jose Luis Castillo.
Mayweather is poised to fight exhibitions against heavyweight legend Mike Tyson and then Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis, before facing off with Pacquiao in less than six months’ time.
Fans are skeptical about any of the above taking place before the two icons reignite their rivalry, with the Netflix-backed event at The Sphere, Las Vegas sure to take precedence. It seems it is not worth risking a poor performance, or injury, ahead of that.