Gibbons: let Pacquiao ‘relax, chill’

MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao, the ageless Filipino superstar, is almost certain at surpassing the pay-per-view numbers of some of his recent fights, including those against Tim Bradley and Adrien Broner.

“We’re very happy,” Sean Gibbons, the new MP Promotions head, told The STAR yesterday.

Gibbons, the boxing icon’s right-hand man, said they’re looking at 500,000 to 600,000 PPV buys for last week’s show in Las Vegas against Keith Thurman.

“All I heard was between 500 and 600 (thousand)but nothing official. Still, it’s better than expected,” he said.

Pacquiao, at 40, was his old self, fast and furious, in scoring a first-round knockdown and a split decision over the previously undefeated Thurman, who is 10 years younger.

Pacquiao is back on top of the boxing world.

“It was vintage Manny Pacquiao. You feel like you were in 2009 or 2010 and not 2019. To beat Thurman, who’s 29-0 and 30 years old, is just amazing,” Gibbons said.

“But that’s what the great ones do. That’s why (Michael) Jordan or (Tom) Brady wants the ball in the end,” he said.

“Manny took the people back in time. It was like they were in a time warp. Manny Pacquiao has reinvented himself to the people,” added the international matchmaker.

Gibbons said there’s so much more in store for Pacquiao, whoever he fights next. The PPV hits of the Thurman fight, and a live audience that drew over $6.2 million, is just a testament of his ability to perform at his age.

“There’s only one Manny Pacquiao,” said Gibbons.

If indeed the PPV numbers exceed at least 500,000, then it surpasses the 400,000 of the Broner fight last July or the 400,000 for the third fight with Bradley in 2016.

Gibbons said Pacquiao, a full-time senator, is taking his time before even thinking of his next move as a boxer.

“We’ll see in the next few weeks. There’s no rush. I don’t foresee anything before the end of the year,” he said of Pacquiao, who has hinted of a ring return either in February or March next year.

“That’s where we are – February or March. I think so. Let him relax. Take three months. Chill. Let him do what he wants to do. Then start looking at Danny Garcia or Mikey Garcia,” said Gibbons.