By Keith Darren: Manny Pacquiao will be celebrating his 32nd birthday on December 17, 2010 and Manny will be hosting a party in his mansion at General Santos City in Southern Philippines with the attendance of course of his mentor Freddie Roach, advisor Michael Koncz, conditioning coach Alex Ariza, Top Rank big boss and Manny’s promoter Bob Arum, and many of his big-named friends in politics, showbusiness and boxing. But it is neither the party nor the attendance of many “stars” in that celebration that get the people so exited, it is the announcement to be made on who Manny will pick among the three names that Arum will be bringing in from the US, Sugar Shane Mosley, Andre Berto, and Juan Manual Marquez. The fight is slated to be held at MGM Grand in Las Vegas on April 16, 2011.

People around Pacquiao are divided on the issue on who they want Manny to fight next. But of course they are one in saying it should be Floyd Mayweather Jr. but due to his unavailability, other names cropped up and made the Team divided on this issue. Freddie Roach wants to finally shut Marquez’s mouth in bragging that he won both fights against Manny Pacquiao in 2004 and 2008. Roach might have felt insulted upon seeing Marquez wearing a t-shirt with “I beat Pacquiao twice” written on it. Being Manny’s coach and trainer, whatever Marquez says against Manny will affect him too. And this could be the reason why Roach wants Manny to face Marquez rather than Mosley or Berto. Roach doesn’t care if it will be a one-sided fight with Pac demolishing JMM as long as he sees Marquez down for good, nor Freddie cares about the smaller PPV it may generate compare to Mosley at the other corner of the ring. For Freddie Roach, Pac should finish Marquez once and for all.

Alex Ariza wants Manny to face Sergio Martinez, the reigning middle weight champion who, just recently, knocked out Paul Williams in the second round of their fight with a devastating left hook. Sergio is heavier than Pacquiao and many see him as stronger than Manny. If Manny will fight Martinez and defeat him, it will be an added trophy for Ariza and will cement his legacy as the best conditioning coach in the world, imagine bringing Pacquiao to several higher divisions with his skills, stamina, power and strength still with him? Ariza knew that Manny will be retiring soon and he knows that success in Manny’s fights mean also success for him as a conditioning coach and will mean therefore offers to flow from all corners of the boxing world, or even from other disciplines, making his business of conditioning athletes more lucrative.

But the most influential person to Pacman when it comes to the choice of his opponent is no other than Bob Arum. This has been the trend ever since Manny entered into Arum’s stable of fighters. And Bob wants Mosley to face Pacquiao by next year. Arum is on the business side of the sports, and it is the clear reason why he wants Mosley rather than Marquez and Berto. Among the three names, Mosley has the largest fan base and therefore, it means larger PPV draws come fight night. The fight could draw more than 1.5M in ppv, and this will put Pacman further in stronger contention against Mayweather when it comes to negotiations on the purse split, if ever that will happen.

After Pacman’s birthday, we will know who will be the winner of the lottery in facing Manny Pacquiao. Will it be Mosley, Berto, or Marquez? Whoever it will be, it will mean only one thing for sure, a big payday, win or loose.