Would European Invasion Profit Pacquiao?

By Keith Terceira

The last bastion of boxing as a main stream sport may just be the European continent, an area that has yet been tapped by Team Pacquiao. While boxing fans wait with baited breathe the announcement that Floyd Mayweather will finally agree to face Manny Pacquiao somewhere, besides an American courtroom, we must consider the limited opportunities facing the eight time world champion.

Tim Bradley has been floated out to the public as a future opponent, mainly on the signing by Top Rank of the undefeated light welterweight. Bradley faces Joel Casamayor on the undercard of Pacquiao-Marquez III, which increased speculation by fans and media alike for a showdown.

On paper Bradley is a credible opponent but does not bring with him a strong market presence that will boost the pay per view numbers needed to fill the coffers in the manner that Pacquiao is accustomed.

Pacquiao may have to go the Ali route as he has cleaned out all but the extremely higher weight classes, and give lesser opponents a chance until Mayweather finally decides.

A combined mega-card on a European stage with Amir Khan may be a way to drive Mayweather out of his rabbit hole and put the fear of losing the “Money” all together. If Wladimir and Vitali can pack stadiums across Europe with bout after bout of robotic performances, imagine the size of the venue needed to hold co-mains of Khan and Pacquiao.

If just by signing Tim Bradley and placing him on the November 12^th card they can draw attention to a possible bout with Manny, imagine the tornado they can create by Khan and Pacquiao in Europe.

One possible opponent who has recently made a move to the US is the undefeated Yorkshire native Kell “Special K” Brook. Special K versus Pacquiao may not make the top ten fight list for boxing scribes but it is a bout that would put the UK in an uproar and pack full the largest stadiums available. It would also draw boxing fans from all over Europe who would finally have the chance to see Pacquiao live.

Even a move back to light welterweight for Pacquiao, with him facing Bradley and Khan versus Maidana II could set the scene for a future that would bypass Floyd Mayweather altogether.

It could also drive HBO PPV’s back to prominence and respectability, and I for one wouldn’t mind a mega fight taking place during the day, on a nice spring or summer day, with the BBQ cooking. Tailgating in front of my widescreen would be a nice change for the sport.

Whichever way you set the stage, Europe may be a place that Pacquiao could exploit for a quick large payday, much as Sugar Ray Robinson did when he toured there in 1950, 51, 63, and 1964.

We all know the recent news put to the media by Amir Khan that there were issues between the training camps of Khan and Pacquiao. Though Khan has stated that he would not fight his friend and the fact that Roach trains both complicates matters, it would not be the first time in boxing that money has won out and friends have faced off.

Though a Bradley fight can make Pacquiao money, it may make more money in boxing’s last undisturbed stronghold; Europe!

Ciao!