A new documentary on boxer Manny Pacquiao premieres in select markets across the country on Friday, but the event that all boxing fans want-- a fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr.—still seems more elusive than ever.
“Manny,” a documentary by When We Were Kings director Leon Gast and co-directed by Ryan Moore opens in markets coast-to-coast, with much of the marketing focused on the fighter’s die-hard Filipino fan base. Of the 21 theatres showing the film, eight are in California alone -- six in Southern California and two in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The film previewed at SXSW last year to positive reviews, as a solid chronological telling of Pacquaio's rage to riches story, as he grew into one of the most successful pound-for-pound boxing champions of his time.
But this week's opening seems to be more of a pre-text to revive negotiations for a Pacquiao/Mayweather fight, every boxing fan’s No. 1 match-up for the last four years.
Pacquiao said on NBC's TODAY last week that his side has agreed to all the paperwork and that it is now Mayweather’s decision to sign the contract for a match in May. Pacquiao has said he wants to do it for the fans and that he’s agreed to all the conditions Mayweather has placed on a potential fight, but Mayweather has not confirmed the deal.
As Mayweather reportedly considers a bout with Miguel Cotto -- a fighter both he and Pacquaio have already beaten -- Pacquaio has taken to throwing virtual punches via social media, goading Mayweather into a match up.