Pacquiao should fight In MGM Grand or Estadio Azteca next

By Neil Jason Blake - 04/30/2013 - Comments

pac89By Miguel Alejandro Lopez: Manny Pacquiao, the recently overthrown pound for pound king, has repeatedly indicated that he wanted to fight at the Venetian Hotel in Macau, or any other venue in Singapore for his comeback. The reason behind the decision is the taxes – Pacquiao wanted to steer clear of the taxes that the US government deducts from foreign fighters.

While fighting in Macau seems like a convenient option, it is not a very good decision when it comes to cementing a legacy and proving something in the sport. First, Macau has proven to be a good haven for boxing gambling, but it has never been established as good for pay-per-view sales.

If PPV numbers are to be made in Pacquiao’s next fight, majority of those PPV buys will still come from the US. This is the reason why Bob Arum still wants to schedule the fight in such a way that it will appear in US primetime schedule (Saturday night). The Chinese may show some inclination to bet on Pacquiao’s next fight, but the ability of the local Chinese community to generate pay-per-view sales is still in question.

If Pacquiao insists on fighting in Macau, that’s up to him. However, it would be hard to convince his opponents to take the same business risks he is taking (in other words, the risk to have lower PPV revenues). Juan Manuel Marquez cited this as one of the reasons why he disagreed to fight Pacquiao for a fifth time. Whether this is an excuse or not on Marquez’s part, the truth behind the reason is undeniable.

Second, there is nothing much for Pacquiao to prove to an Asian audience. Although Pacquiao is an Asian, the Chinese are particularly indifferent towards him and most of the fans who will support the fight are Filipinos working in Macau anyway. Pacquiao has nothing to prove to these people.

Instead, it would be better for Pacquiao’s legacy (and personal boxing conquest) if he decided to stage a comeback in the same venue where he met his devastating KO loss last December. Better yet, he can prove something even more tothe fans if he decided to fight in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico, either against Marquez for the fifth time, or Mike Alvarado – the junior welterweight champion rumored to be next in line for Pacquiao. The eight division world champ will face a very hostile audience there, but by winning, he will make a statement in the sport once again and prove to his critics that he can fight anyone, anytime, anywhere as he said in the past.

Speaking of pay-per-view revenues, in this writer’s opinion, more money can be made by Pacquiao if he fights in either Las Vegas or Mexico.



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