Pacquiao victory sparks talk of a rematch with Mayweather

Manny Pacquiao was impressive in his return from retirement. Is a rematch with Floyd Mayweather in the cards?

By Louis Chan
REPRINTED FROM ASAM NEWS

NO STORY of Manny Pacquiao is ever complete without speculation of a return bout with the undefeated Floyd Mayweather.

With Mayweather sitting at ringside in Las Vegas, Pacquiao defeated Jesse Vargas by unanimous decision Saturday night for the WBO Welterweight title. The 37-year old Filipino pugilist easily defeated Jessie Vargas, 10 years his junior, knocking down Vargas once in the second round.

Immediately speculation turned to whether a rematch with Mayweather. Mayweather is officially retired, but so was Pacquiao prior to his fight with Vargas.

RELATED:

• Pacquiao vs. Mayweather ... oh, well
• Pacquiao and Donaire on the same fight card

Pacquiao said it was he who invited Mayweather to the match. Pac Man’s no dummy. He’s a showman at heart and he knows the mere presence of Mayweather will resurrect talk about a rematch.

Of course, the two will remain coy while the promoters work behind the scenes to make it happen.

Their last match which Mayweather won left many underwhelmed. The feeling is a rematch can’t be any worse and there are hordes of boxing fans willing to take the chance and commit big bucks to see it on pay for view.

Would you pay to see a rematch? Their last fight in May 2015, long-anticipated and years in the making, was the highest grossing boxing match in history. Both fighters made millions of dollars.

Pacquiao was hampered with a sore shoulder that he injured while training.

In the other big match on the card, Nonito Donaire lost his super bantamweight title to Jesse Magdaleno in a 12 round unanimous decision. It was a dream of the Filipino Fash to play on the same card with Pacquaiao. Unfortunately it didn’t end the way he had envisioned.

Manny Pacquiao defeats Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas for the WBO Welterweight crown.

TGIF FEATURE: Pacquiao and Donaire fighting the same night

Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire on the same card at last.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, Filipino fighters Manny Pacquiao and Nonito "Flash" Donaire, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, will be on the same Las Vegas boxing card this Saturday, Nov. 5.

Having two of the most exciting fighters on the same card has long been a goal of both pugilists for a long time. It is the dream ticket for Filipino fight fans.

Manny Pacquiao, the first-term Filipino senator and former congressman from General Santos City, an eight-division champion, will come out of retirement to fight Jessie Vargas for Vargas’ WBO welterweight title in the main event.

In the co-main event, Nonito Donaire, a four-division champion and current WBO super bantamweight champion, will make the second defense of his title against undefeated Las Vegan Jessie Magdaleno, fighting for a major title for the first time.

"This is a good boxing card because not only am I fighting on the card but [so is] my fellow Philippine boxer Nonito Donaire, who is the pride of the Philippines," Pacquiao said. "I think it is a good present for us and for the Philippine people for us to fight on this card together."

RELATED

• Pacquiao, Bruce Lee score TKOs vs. Asian male stereotype
• Nonito Donaire - 'I am Filipino'

Both fighters are on the downside of their careers and as much excitement the card has generated among Filipinos in the Philippines and in the U.S., it could very well be a major disappointment if both fighters lose. Both of their opponents are up-and-coming boxers and younger.

In April, Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KOs) won what he said then was his final fight, defeating Timothy Bradley by unanimous decision in their third meeting at the MGM Grand. That retirement didn't last long. It is his first fight since being elected to the Philippines Senate in May. 

Last month, Pacquiao, 37, confirmed that he would end his retirement to fight Vargas for the title he once owned. 

The pay-per-view event, staged at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus, will not be aired by either HBO or Showtime, but instead will be handled by the promoter of the event, Top Rank, Inc.

Donaire (37-3, 24 KOs), like probably every current Filipino fighter, considers Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KOs) to be his boxing idol. He is excited to be on Pacquiao's card.

"It's incredible. It's something you look forward to," the 33-year old Donaire said. "I'm just excited. We can give the people what they've wanted. When I signed with Top Rank (in 2008) one of the reasons I signed was to be on a card with Manny, but it never happened until now. I am focused on my outcome and beating Magdaleno but when I heard I would be on the card with Manny I was very excited."

###

Don't count out Nonito "the Filipino Flash" Donaire

Nonito Donaire, right, makes short work of William Prado.

A FEW months ago people were saying that Nonito Donaire was all washed up. 

Two rounds. That's all it took for Donaire to score a TKO over William Prado of Brazil in a title fight in Manila last March 28. Two rounds!

In the Super-Bantam weight class, Donaire fought at a more comfortable weight than his previous bout with undefeated Jamaican Nicholas Walters where he was outboxed and outclassed last November by his opponent for the featherweight title (126 lbs) of the World Boxing Association.

With the roaring partisan crowd cheering him on, the comeback fight was totally one-sided as Donaire sought to redeem himself. Prado, considered a second-tier fighter, was totally out of his  league. 

The 32-year old Donaire's must-win victory will likely earn him a top one or two ranking at 122 lbs for the WBC, where unbeaten champion Leo Santa Cruz reigns.

"That's something that we're gonna go after," said Donaire. (Cruz) "is a great fighter but with proper preparation, I do believe that's something we can overcome."

Donaire proved to the boxing world that he still deserves to be considered a contender, but most of all, he proved it to himself.

After the fight, in a more contemplative mood, Donaire said, “Being in here is not all about being world champion once again. It is inspiring others out there. Inspiring little kids to work hard and be better. From somebody who was put down. From somebody who hit rock bottom."

RELATED: "I am Filipino," - Donaire

###

Nonito Donaire Jr.: "I am Filipino!"

NONITO DONAIRE Jr. (AKA The Filipno Flash) is a champion boxer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Next to Manny Pacquiao, he is probably the best known contemporary Filipino pugilist, holding multiple crowns in various weight divisions.

Like many men who have taken up the sport professionally, he's full of self-confidence to the point of being overconfident. He's brash, outspoken and proud to be a Filipino. The commercial for Cobra Energy Drink combines his confidence and pride to send a powerful positive message about being Filipino (its implied that comes with drinking Cobra, of course.)

Forget the drink, when I first saw the commercial, my reaction was "Oh, yeah!!!" It is one of the most positive and powerful messages about being Filipino that I've seen. Warrior, Perseverance, Power, Against all odds. Good stuff.

He has a fight this coming Saturday against up-and-coming fighter Nicholas Walters, a powerful puncher who hasn't been defeated in his 24-fight career. The fight in Carson, Calif. is for the featherweight WBA crown.

Donaire, at 31, may be on the downside of his spectacular career. Since he lost to Guillermo Rigondeaux, Donaire hasn't been the same. However, the "Flash" is no slouch either sporting a 33-2 record with 21 KOs.

It's a big fight for Walters to legitimize his quest for a world championship. The stakes are just as high for Donaire to regain the respect of the fight world but more importantly, to regain his swagger.

UPDATE: Nonito Donaire lost to Nicholas Walter by TKO in the 6th round. Donaire was overmatched by size, weight and reach. He should stay in the lower weight divisions.

###