FANS REACT AS PACQUIAO RETURNS TO TRAINING – ‘P4P GREAT’

Credit: Henry Bedoy/MP Productions https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a28423916/manny-pacquiao-training-after-40-thurman-fight/

Manny Pacquiao is back in training, but there has been no agreement reached with Floyd Mayweather over a rematch, as fans reacted to his workout footage.

Reports indicate that Manny is trying to finalize a rematch with Mayweather, who is currently retired, to avenge his 2015 loss. Manny came out of a 4-year retirement in July at 46 to secure a majority draw against WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios. Manny has said his next fight will be on January 24, or an April 2026 date for the IBA Pro World Title. Rolando Romero, the WBA Welterweight Champion, was mentioned as an opponent. However, Romero has been ordered to face his WBA mandatory Shakhram Giyasov. 

Pacquiao’s Future

“Manny Pacquiao is widely beloved around the globe, he is a true boxing legend who wants to leave legacy beyond the ring. His life story mirrors the spirit of IBA’s mission: giving every young boxer a fair chance to have achieve their dreams. We have been helping children as an organization, while Manny has been doing it all alone. Now, we will continue to help our children together as a united IBA boxing family and extend Manny’s programs beyond the borders,” Umar Kremlev (IBA President)

“Under the visionary leadership of President Umar Kremlev, the IBA has entered a Golden Era — an era where every boxer, from every country, can dream, fight, and succeed on equal terms. I am proud to join this mission — to make sure no young boxer is left behind, no champion is forgotten, and no nation is excluded. As Vice President, I will dedicate myself to building bridges — between amateurs and professionals, between East and West, between generations and cultures. I believe boxing can unite people in ways that politics never can. It can change lives, transform communities, and bring peace where there is division,” Pacquiao stated.

Things have also been complicated by Manny’s appointment as Vice President of the International Boxing Association (IBA). While Manny wants the Mayweather rematch, Floyd has said there is no news if ‘people don’t hear it from him.’ Regardless, Manny has been staying in shape. The following clip shows Manny hitting the punch bag with rapper BlueFace being one of the observers. 

IBA TO OFFER PRIZE MONEY TO ALL BOXING MEDALISTS AT PARIS OLYMPICS

Umar Kremlev. Reuters 

 The International Boxing Association (IBA) will offer prize money to all those who become Olympic champions and medallists at this year's Paris Games, the body announced on Wednesday in a move that drew criticism from Olympic officials.

The body is not organising the boxing tournament at the Paris Olympics after it was stripped of recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last year.

Based on the placings of boxers at the July 26-Aug. 11 Games, the IBA said it would award $100,000 to gold medallists, $50,000 for silver medals and $25,000 for bronze.

The move follows that of World Athletics, which in April announced it would be the first governing body to offer $50,000 in prize money for its Olympic champions, starting in Paris this year.

"Paris gold medallists in the boxing tournament will receive a substantial financial reward of $100,000. Out of this amount, the athlete will receive $50,000, their National Federation will receive $25,000, and their coach will receive $25,000," IBA President Umar Kremlev said in a statement.

"Our athletes and their efforts must be appreciated. The IBA offers opportunities and invests considerably in our boxers, they remain as the focal point, and we will continue to support them at all levels."

Kremlev added that the total prize money fund commitment was worth more than $3.1 million and would be distributed to more than 100 boxers.

"We are setting a clear example for many on how international federations should be treating their champions," IBA Secretary General Chris Roberts said.

"This is real support with real actions, a thing that has become rare in the international sports environment. We are happy to be the lead sport to have this opportunity to support our boxers and reward them for their hard work and dedication."

The decision was not welcomed by the IOC which said there was no financial transparency in the move.

"As always with the IBA, it is unclear where the money is coming from," the IOC said in a statement. "This total lack of financial transparency was exactly one of the reasons why the IOC withdrew its recognition of the IBA."

The IOC has urged the creation of a new global body for the sport, warning that athletes whose national federations adhered to the IBA instead of its IOC-approved successor would not be allowed to take part in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

The IOC decided in June to strip the IBA of recognition over its failure to complete reforms on governance, finance and ethical issues.

The boxing tournaments at the Paris Games are being organised by the IOC, but there are fears the sport might be excluded from future Games, with it not on the initial programme for Los Angeles 2028.

- Reuters