By Gerardo Granados: The former multiple division champion Manny Pacquiao looked good in his last fight against former WBA lightweight belt holder Brandon Rios. It was not a surprise to see that Pacman still posses speed and power, although he does lacks the power he displayed when he moved up to the welterweight division.
Was the reader surprised to see Pacquiao not engaging a natural welterweight fighter? When was the last time that Pacquiao faced a top welter contender? One who was highly ranked by the main boxing organizations? It might be over two years since he beat old Shane Mosley but Sugar might not have been considered as a legit threat to him due his age. When was the last time Pacquiao faced a dangerous opponent like Miguel Cotto?
The old Pacman could be gone by now and Pacquiao might have changed his fighting style from a fan friendly style to one more cautious, one of a boxer instead of a brawler after his brutal knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez. He still has the tools to compete at high level and his loyal fans will follow him no matter what but the rest of fight fans might be getting a little impatient for continuously seeing him fight lightweights and light welters instead of real division contenders.
Purely speculative speaking, who could get a shot a Manny Pacquiao? Juan Manuel Marquez wants no part of Pacquiao and has been very clear refusing to fight for a fifth time against Manny. Tim Bradley opted to fight Juan Manuel Marquez instead of Pacquiao but he could land a shot due being a stable mate. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is out of limits for now. Marcos Maidana could find trouble due promoter’s issues but he has the ideal boxing style to make Pacman look good. Kell Brook, Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter lack of a good fan base to bring the pay per view numbers. Ruslan Provodnikov is a light welter WBO champion so I am not considering him to be a legit welter contender at this time.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Robert Guerrero, Paulie Malignaggi or Josesito Lopez would end as Pacman next foe. But logic tells Pacman won’t be getting a fully fledged welterweight contender for his next bout and instead he will end up fighting another pressure light welter fighter who lacks great footwork or defensive skills even less to be considered as a smart fast counter
puncher.
It would be great to see Pacquiao engage a top welterweight contender, a dangerous prime lion that can be considered as a threat to defeat him, but I doubt he will fight that kind of opponent. I think that Mike Alvarado fits the prototype of Pacquiao’s recent opponents coming from a loss and not being a full welter with a fighting style that is simply tailored made for Manny to look good. But what about the reader, do you believe Pacquiao will finally engage a top welterweight this year?
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