Former eight-division world champion Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao is set to make his return to action after a semi-retirement that lasted only seven months when he meets WBO welterweight champion Jesse Vargas on Nov. 5, 2016 live on pay-per-view (PPV).
Pacquiao’s lineal welterweight title will also be on the line in this bout.
While the Filipino southpaw’s fighting future after his fight with Vargas is currently unclear, it is interesting to fantasize about what could lie ahead, and one possibility was recently touched on by his longtime trainer Freddie Roach, who would like to see Pacquiao take on WBO junior lightweight champion and former WBO featherweight titleholder Vasyl Lomachenko.
There is a weight disparity between Pacquiao and Lomachenko, but “PacMan” has competed at weights lower than welterweight in the past, or the two could easily meet in the middle.
Pacquiao, known for his explosive speed and lightning fast combinations, is coming off of a one-sided decision victory over Timothy Bradley last April.
Prior to that, he had won three of his last four fights with the only loss in that stretch coming in a lackluster bout with Floyd Mayweather in which Pacquiao apparently had a shoulder injury that limited him.
The three wins in that streak came over Brandon Rios, Bradley and Chris Algieri.
Lomachenko, a 28-year-old southpaw, holds a professional record of 6-1 with four knockouts, but that’s not to say he has a lack of experience, as he’s noted as one of the very best amateur fighters of all-time.
In fact, he won a silver medal at the 2007 world championships and back-to-back gold medals at the 2009 and 2011 world championships. He also won consecutive gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
As far as his professional career goes, “Hi-tech” is known for his outstanding hand speed, timing and accuracy. He also utilizes strong footwork and movement.
Coming off of three straight knockout victories, Lomachenko is set to take on Nicholas Walters on Nov. 26, 2016 in which his title will be on the line.
If Lomachenko can get by Walters, a bout with Pacquiao would undoubtedly be a blockbuster one for his career. The potential scrap would also make sense for “PacMan”, as it would line him up with one of the sport’s best current boxers.
From a stylistic standpoint, this contest is also quite intriguing, as both men are speedy southpaws with great footwork.
Would you like to see these two combatants face off and who would you pick to come out on top?
