Sean Gibbons is going on a desert expedition to present boxing’s newest power brokers a proposal that will have Manny Pacquiao fighting one of the sport’s marquee names.
Representing the Pacquiao-owned MP Promotions, Gibbons is bringing a vast portfolio of select fights that Saudi Arabia could host towards the fall of 2024.
To show his seriousness about staging a comeback, Pacquiao is doing a risky exhibition match on 20 April at the IMPACT Arena in Bangkok.
Challenging Pacquiao is Buakaw Banchamek, Thailand’s kickboxing superstar.
The famed Filipino southpaw actually showed up for training camp on Monday in General Santos City.
“He’s training as if he’s fighting (in a big pro fight),” Gibbons told DAILY TRIBUNE, adding that after s strenuous morning training session, Pacquiao reported for gym work in the afternoon.
Gibbons said his proposal is not aimed at giving Pacquiao an easy fight.
“Manny Pacquiao is not into cherry-picking. He wants to fight the big names and the best.”
Lately, Saudi Arabia has been holding huge fights involving boxing’s biggest names with main focus on the heavyweights.
But putting together classic clashes starring other top boxers is also on the Saudis’ radar screen given the massive resources that are at their disposal.
In fact, the Saudis have been successful gathering not just the stars of the fight game but the rival promoters as well.
Last October, the Saudis invited boxing’s main attractions, including Pacquiao, to watch Tyson Fury take on Francis Ngannou, proof that they are hellbent on making Riyadh a prime destination for megabuck matchups.
Gibbons said he’s got several names and it would all be up to the Saudis to decide who among them will end up locking horns with one of boxing’s greatest warrior ever.
“Got names that I would present to them. It depends on who they would like to face Manny Pacquiao. Once they make a choice, we’ll get it done,” the globetrotting Gibbons added.
