Updated 08:27 PM EDT, Thu, Mar 28, 2024

Manny Pacquiao Next Fight 2014: Boxing Still a 'Priority' Though Basketball is Champ's 'First Love'

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Despite expressing his serious intention in serving as coach of a local basketball team in the Philippines, eight-division world champ Manny Pacquiao said that boxing will remain his first priority.

Pacquiao, according to a report by the Inquirer, has earlier been hired as the playing coach of Kia Motors.

"Basketball is my first love but boxing is my bread and butter. It's a matter of time management. I've been doing multi-tasking before and this job as playing-coach of a basketball team is no longer new," Pacquiao told the Inquirer.

He also noted that his training for his next fight against Chris Algieri will be done at his hometown in General Santos City. 

The Inquirer added that Pacquiao's coach, Freddie Roach, has also been pushing for the fighter to train in his hometown to avoid being distracted by his passion for his next fight. The coach also noted that he will try to convince the fighter to move to his training camp to the United States. 

It seems that Bob Arum is also on the same page as Roach. "He can't do both (boxing and basketball)," Arum was quoted by International Business Times as saying. 

"We'll talk to Manny if it is possible that he spend six weeks in Los Angeles," added Arum.

Pacquiao assured his coach and fans that they have nothing to worry about his focus and training, noting that it would be the second time that he will be having General Santos as his training camp. It was in the same city where he trained for his fight against Brandon "Bambam" Rios in 2013 before flying to Macau, China, a few days before their match.

According to the Inquirer, the Filipino champ usually trains at his Wild Card Gym where he also holds his sparring sessions.

The International Business Times added in its report that Pacquiao is juggling his work as a basketball coach and training for his upcoming November bout against Algieri. The same report added that the PBA season is expected to start on October 19.

Pacquiao, based from several reports, is favored by many to win the match against Algieri since he won his two previous bouts versus Timothy Bradley in April 2014 and against Rios last year via unanimous decision.

But the International Business Times explained that the 30-year-old Algieri should not also be underestimated as he is known to be a "dangerous fighter." The report added that the American fighter is undefeated in 20 bouts with 8 knockout victories.

Boxing Voice analyzed that Algieri could also have a shot at the fight although he has been known to be an underdog. Pacquiao, on the other hand, likes opponents who trades punches with him on the ring and does not like having to look for his opponent, added the report.

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