Manny Pacquiao is scheduled to put his WBO welterweight belt on the line Nov. 22 against WBO junior welterweight titleholder Chris Algieri in China. The fight, however, could be Pacquiao's last at 147 lbs.
Although Pacquiao and Algieri are competing at welterwight, the fight is being contested at a catchweight of 144 pounds. Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said his fighter's handlers imposed the catchweight as a precursor for a possible move to junior welterweight.
"That's the only reason we're going to '44, that's our choice, not theirs," Roach said. A move to junior welterweight could create a major shift in the sport, as it would set up a number of possible fights that previously weren't on the table.
Pacquiao moving down could set up a high-profile showdown with undefeated WBC and WBA champion Danny Garcia, who has taken out almost all of the major competition at that weight class. Garcia has spoken of moving up to 147 pounds in the near future, but may stay put if he can fight Pacquiao.
Pacquiao could also fight Lucas Matthysse, a popular knockout artist, or the brash Adrien Broner who has called him out in the past. "There's a lot of competition in the 140-pound division, a lot of them are going to 147 because they want to fight Manny for the bigger money but as soon as Manny goes to 140 all of those will come back down," Roach said.
There are several big-money fights available in both weight classes, but Roach believes Pacquiao's vaunted knockout power will return if he goes back to a lighter, more natural weight.
"He's never been a big puncher at 147," Roach said. "I don't think he's lost his punch or his killer instinct; he's just been fighting bigger, stronger guys. I think the knockouts will still start coming again at 140."
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