Pacquiao seeks 'fresh start' in Haymon alliance

Manny Pacquiao and boxing manager Al Haymon

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao formally announced that he has entered into an “exclusive agreement” with influential manager Al Haymon, the driving force behind the Premier Boxing Champions television series.

Pacquiao hopes that with this latest move, he will get to make the most out of his remaining years in the sport, which will resume in January next year with a fight against former multi-division champion Adrien Broner.

“I’m very excited about this new chapter in my career and I’m looking forward to a fresh start,” the reigning WBA welterweight champion — who has fought his biggest bouts under Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. — said in a press statement emailed to reporters late Monday.  

Under his deal with Haymon, Pacquiao will promote all his fights under his own MP Promotions. He will also have the chance to bring in his own fighters to see action in PBC cards.

“I’m reinvigorated by the prospects of bringing up new fighters under the MP Promotions banner,” he said.

“My team will work closely with Al Haymon for the remainder of my career to deliver the most anticipated fights with the top PBC fighters.  Those are the fights the fans want to see and the ones I want to have to close out my career,” added Pacquiao, who knocked out Lucas Matthysse last July to revive his career.

In aligning with the reclusive Haymon, Pacquiao has put himself in position to face other PBC-affiliated welterweight stars such as WBC champion Shawn Porter, IBF titlist Errol Spence Jr., Danny Garcia and Keith Thurman, among others.

But the Filipino icon has zeroed in on a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr., who is also being advised by Haymon.

He first has to get past Broner.

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