Manny Pacquiao is back on top of the world and now Asia’s largest martial arts promotion wants the boxing legend to bring it all back home.
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“I’d love to see him defend his title in the Philippines and give Filipino fans what they want in a mega card,” said One Championship founder Chatri Sityodtong. “Manny, let’s do it.”
The Singapore-based One organisation has been expanding its presence across all combat sports, with its new Super Series of stand-up fights proving a popular addition to its regular mixed martial arts cards.
Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao salutes during an arrival honours after returning to his native Philippines from Malaysia. Photo: AFP
Two weeks ago Chatri announced One had signed on to co-promote Thailand’s WBC world super flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and the organisation would be chasing a similar co-promotion deal with Pacquiao, who is currently handled by his own MP Promotions.
“We could gather all of the heroes the Philippines have on a mega card and blast it out to the whole world,” Chatri said.
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The 39-year-old Pacquiao took the WBA welterweight title off Argentine Lucas Matthysse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 15. The win came via a lightning right uppercut in the seventh that turned the clock right back to the veteran’s glory days when the fighter from the Philippines was carving his way through a record eight weight divisions. Pacquiao’s record now stands at 60-7-2, with 39 of those victories coming by knockout.
