With Manny Pacquiao set to return to the ring in April, plans are already in motion for the eight-division world champion to be on a collision course with one of boxing’s up-and-coming superstars: Vasyl Lomachenko.
Freddie Roach and Bob Arum recently spoke at the American Bank Center where Top Rank had their first ESPN card of 2018 and commented on the potential Pacquiao vs. Lomachenko clash, which could take place in November. But first, Pacquiao has a date on ESPN, likely on April 14 at Madison Square Garden.
“[Pacquiao will fight] on the same night Jeff Horn and Terence Crawford will fight for the [WBO welterweight title in April]. We’re just waiting and we will do the announcement once Manny’s on board,” Arum said.
“Lomachenko’s next fight will be at 135 lbs and he and Manny will meet at 140 (later in the year),” Roach said.
Such a fight would be one of the biggest of the year, but there is no telling if the fight will even happen. Egis Kilmas, Lomachenko's manager, denied any such fight is happening.
Lomachenko does not have a fight currently schedule and Pacquiao's planned fight has not been announced, nor does he have an opponent yet. Two names that have been thrown around is former WBO interim junior welterweight champion Mike Alvarado and current WBA "regular" welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse, who has expressed interest in fighting Pacquiao in his first title defense.
Lomachenko has also been linked to possible fights against WBA lightweight champion Jorge Linares and WBC lightweight champion Mikey Garcia.
