Have we seen Manny Pacquiao fight for the final time?
The Filipino legend announced he will rest, relax and reconsider his future plans after surprisingly losing to Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas. Time, however, is not on Pacquiao's side.
The eight-division world champion, who had been due to fight Errol Spence Jr but instead faced a late stand-in, turns 43 in December. It may well be the end of the road for one of boxing's biggest superstars who, after 72 bouts and numerous titles, has little left to achieve between the ropes.
He has demonstrated age is just a number in recent years, producing some outstanding wins ever since losing in the 'fight of the century' against long-time rival Floyd Mayweather Jr in May 2015.
If it is all over, Pacquiao bows out as one of the all-time greats, an undoubted national hero who continued to produce when so many thought his best days were long behind him.
THE LAST HURRAH...OR NOT
Nearly a year after the long-overdue Mayweather fight, Pacquiao returned to action to face a familiar foe in what he claimed beforehand would be his boxing swansong.
"I'm so happy to be hanging up the gloves after this fight because of what I have done," he told the media ahead of facing Timothy Bradley for a third time. "I'm sure I will be sad after that fight. That's life."
Pac-Man had his eyes on becoming a senator in the Philippines at the time, but did not look beyond Bradley, who had won their first meeting via a controversial split-decision verdict, back in 2012.
Pacquiao had prevailed in a 2014 rematch and would also come out on top in the final episode of the trilogy, dropping his opponent twice on his way to a points triumph.
That was meant to be that, according to the man himself, except before the end of 2016 he was back in action again. Jessie Vargas was no match as Mayweather watched his former opponent from close quarters at ringside, adding fuel to talk of a rematch.
Victory secured the WBO welterweight title for Pacquiao, who demonstrated that despite being just shy of his 38th birthday, he still had plenty left to give. "He's not done fighting yet," said trainer Freddie Roach – and he was right.
AN ALMIGHTY UPSET
Jeff Horn was due to be nothing more than a stepping-stone to bigger things. The Australian nearly missed his big opportunity – Pacquiao at one point seemed set to face former gym-mate Amir Khan instead – but had the benefit of home advantage. It was about all most experts felt the underdog had going in his favour ahead of the bout in Brisbane.
However, Suncorp Stadium witnessed the mother of all upsets in July 2017, in part thanks to some questionable scoring.
Horn did more than just surpass pre-fight expectations just by making it to the final bell, though. He showed a willingness to stand and trade with a legendary name, as well as coming through a ninth-round storm that looked at one stage certain to sweep him away.
He finished strongly too, but it was still a surprise to most when the challenger was declared a unanimous winner on all three cards. The verdict raised questions over the judges' scoring, as well as Pacquiao's future in the sport.
The WBO conducted a review into the outcome at the behest of the Philippines government, but a secondary check only vindicated the original outcome. Was Pacquiao done?
Sherikee Moore to debut on Wray & Nephew Fight Nights October 7
The reigning American Boxing Confederation Caribbean Champion, Jamaica's Sherikee Moore, will highlight the first female bout set to take place at the next staging of the exciting Wray & Nephew Fight Nights Series set for the Ebony Vale Community Centre in St Catherine on Saturday, October 7, 2023.
Seven other enthralling bouts are slated to take place on the night, but all eyes will be on the first female fight of the series which has been a boost for the sport of boxing on the island. Six professional boxers and 10 amateur boxers will take their enthusiasm and determination to the ring to secure needed wins to advance their careers. This fight features at least three boxers from the neighbouring GC Foster Boxing Gym.
Stephen Jones, President of the Jamaica Boxing Board, has high praises for the series which is sanctioned by his organization.
“From a boxing board perspective, we knew that the Wray & Nephew Fight Night series would create a platform capable of elevating the sport to levels never before seen in the Caribbean. What we didn’t realize is how quickly the impact would be felt since its inception. Female boxing has been the fastest-growing discipline in sport since it was first introduced to the Olympics in 2016, so it’s imperative that we place just as much emphasis on the opportunities provided for our females as we do our males, so having a female bout on the upcoming card will not only entertain but will certainly inspire other females to come on board to make a name for themselves and ultimately their country,” Jones shared.
A 21-year-old student of GC Foster College, Moore is set to compete against Shanika Gordon from the Jamaica Defense Force, and by all indications, the fight is expected to bring tremendous excitement as the both women will get a chance to showcase their talent while trading punches in front of what is expected to be a jam-packed venue.
Moore has been boxing for nine years and was introduced to the sport at a summer boxing camp at the Olympic Gardens Community Centre.
The first-year Massage student has since garnered a record of five wins and two losses in her seven bouts to date, and the featherweight novice is grateful that the Wray & Nephew boxing series is giving her the platform to showcase her talent.
“I think this is a great opportunity not only for us female boxers as we get a chance to show that there are not only male boxers but there are female boxers who are thriving in the sport,” said Moore.
According to Moore, who will be in her second fight since late last year, the opportunity provided by the Jamaica Boxing Board and title sponsors Wray and Nephew who embodies the statement ‘FI WI culture’ has truly been a masterstroke.
“Internationally, there are just three of us that box and I feel that more females should be getting into the sport. This kind of initiative spearheaded by Wray and Nephew cannot come at a better time because as females it is hard to get fights in Jamaica.”
Pavel Smith, Marketing Manager Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum is proud the series will host its first female bout. “The sport of boxing, like Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum a “Fi wi Culture”. The Fight Night series was developed to elevate Jamaican boxing talent and skill. We heartily welcome this first female exhibition as the series expands into parishes across the island.”
Moore, who trains at the Suga Knock Out Gym in Olympic Gardens, says she has benefitted tremendously from getting into the sport on a personal level.
“Since I have been boxing, I have grown more confident and I have started to communicate with others better. I was a shy person, but the sport of boxing has helped me to be more confident and I have gotten better,” Moore noted.
She says she will be ramping up her training in the coming week in preparation for the bout and she hopes to one day take her skills to the highest level.
“I see myself becoming a professional in a few years and one of my other goals is to represent Jamaica at the Olympics. For that to happen, I will need more experience and exposure and I must say a big thank you to Wray and Nephew for giving us the avenue on our journey and ultimate goal,” Moore shared.
Conor Benn thrilled with win after ‘going through hell’
Conor Benn hailed his unanimous points victory over Rodolfo Orozco in Florida as the perfect response after “going through hell” outside of the ring.
The 26-year-old returned to the ring for the first time since April 2022 after his provisional doping suspension was lifted.
Benn, who had been out of the ring for 525 days, extended his undefeated run to 22 fights after the judges scored 99-91, 99-91 and 96-94 all in favour of the Englishman.
Benn did not show any signs of early ring rust on his return and dropped the Mexican in the third round before getting other rounds under his belt and a seemingly easy beat down over Orozco.
‘The Destroyer’ was happy to get valuable time in the ring after such a long lay-off and targeted a home fight next time out.
After the fight, he said: “We didn’t want a walk in the park. I needed the rounds after 18 months out.
“He’s a true Mexican, my first Mexican I’ve fought, and we knew he was durable. Credit to him, he’s never been stopped before and he’s one tough man and I hope he progresses.
“They are stronger and take shots more. I don’t think there was ring rust, I was going through the gears after going through hell.
“Britain is my home and it’s only right I fight back there, sooner rather than later.”
Joe Joyce’s career in tatters after brutal third-round knock-out by Zhilei Zhang
Zhilei Zhang delivered a destinating third-round knock-out to win his WBO interim heavyweight title rematch against Joe Joyce at Wembley Arena.
Joyce had been mandatory for Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO heavyweight belt before he lost for the first time in the pro ranks to Zhang in April. The contest was stopped in the sixth round, with Joyce’s right eye badly swollen.
Southpaw Zhang had told the Englishman he was back to end his career and could well have proved true to his words with another chastening defeat for the ‘Juggernaut’, who now faces questions over where he goes from here.
Zhang used his moment of glory to call out Tyson Fury.
He said in his ring-side interview: “To the audience, I want to ask you a question: Do you want to see me shut Tyson Fury up?”
On his performance, he added: “I am happy. Like I said before the fight, it is going to end sooner than the first fight and I did it. Joe, hell of a fighter, respect to him. I like him and respect him, everybody please care for him.”
It was a cagey opening to the rematch, with both men content to find their range without trying to commit too much.
Zhang, the 2008 Olympic silver medallist, was first to land a telling blow in the second round, rocking Joyce with a big left hand before catching the Englishman again with another hook which sent him onto the ropes before the bell.
It remained one-way traffic in the third, Zhang also working the body as Joyce failed to find any response.
Zhang worked Joyce with the left before he delivered the knock-out blow with a powerful right hook which sent Joyce to the canvas – and could well end his hopes in the heavyweight division.
On the undercard, Ilford boxer Anthony Yarde stopped Portugal’s Jorge Silva in the second round to make an impressive return in his first fight since defeat by unified light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev.
Dubliner Pierce O’Leary retained the WBC international super-lightweight title with a unanimous decision over Manchester’s Kane Gardner.
Heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma, 18, produced a blistering first-round knock-out of Amine Boucetta for his fifth straight professional win.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
