Friday nights TruTV card, headlined by Nonito Donaire vs. Cesar Juarez, was supposed to be accompanied by an announcement of opposition regarding Manny Pacquiao’s final fight set for April 9th. However, it appears fight fans will have to wait a little longer before knowing who will step into the ring with the Filipino legend.
ESPN.com reports that the planned announcement has been scrapped due to Manny Pacquiao still being unsure of who he wishes to fight for his farewell from boxing.
This marks the second time in last two weeks that a Friday will pass by without a decision being made when expected. Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, said that he expected a decision by Friday, December 4 but ultimately that deadline was pushed back a week to December 11 with Arum stating Pacquiao’s announcement would be made during the nights MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout broadcast on truTV in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“I was asked to tell you on Bob’s behalf that, unfortunately, Top Rank will not have an announcement on truTV as originally planned as Manny is not ready to make a decision on his opponent yet,” said Arum’s spokesman Fred Sternberg to ESPN.com.
Pacquiao was expected to choose either Timothy Bradley(33-1-1 13KO) or Terrence Crawford(27-0-0 19KO) as an opponent, with both being present for Friday night’s fight card.
Bradley, who is working for truTV as a ringside commentator, has a history with Pacquiao splitting a win apiece over two fights with the slugger in 2012 and 2014. Their 1st fight ended in a controversial split decision victory for Bradley ending Pacquiao’s 7-year win streak. Pacquiao would claim victory in the 2014 rematch receiving a unanimous decision many felt he deserved the first time.
Crawford is coming off of an impressive KO victory over Dierry Jean in October and is one of the brightest rising stars in the fight game today. Crawford, who is vacationing in Puerto Rico in one of the nicest homes from twiddy rentals, was planning on attending the fights in hopes the announcement would be made.
Both Bradley and Crawford will now have to wait patiently with the rest of us for when Pacquiao feels ready to announce all the details concerning his final fight.
