By Chris Williams: it seems like a big waste of time for WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao to take on either Miguel Cotto or Antonio Margarito in either of his next two fights. With Margarito unable to get his boxing license back in the United States right now because of the plaster like substance that was discovered on his hand wraps before his fight with Shane Mosley last year, it would send the wrong message if Pacquiao was to fight Margarito outside of the United States.

I think Pacquiao is better off waiting for Margarito to get re-licensed in the U.S. before taking him on so there’s less controversy. I’m not one to have someone banished forever for making a mistake in the past, but it seems to reason that at the minimum, Margarito should at least have to get his boxing license back in the U.S. before Pacquiao should agree to fight him. If not, this fight is going to create some controversy and bitter feelings among some fans of the sport.

Since Pacquiao is a congressman now, he might be better off staying away from that kind of thing until Margarito can fight in the U.S. It seems like a logical move to me, and it would also be easier for Pacquiao’s U.S. fans to come see the fight rather than having to fly or drive all the way to Mexico and deal with the hassles. I don’t know that a Pacquiao-Margarito fight would be a big seller in the U.S. either, but it might be a good enough fight to draw 50,000 fans. If Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey was able to bring in 50,000, then it makes sense to assume that a fight against Margarito should do similar numbers, possibly a tad bit more. Since there’s probably no real advantage to fighting Margarito, other than the fact that he fights for the same promotional company, Pacquiao might be better off looking at fighting someone else other Margarito.

As for fighting Cotto, Pacquiao already beat him last November. What’s the point in beating him again? Will that enhance Pacquiao’s legacy if he beats Cotto twice for titles? That seems like an easy way to pick up titles when you know you’ve already dominated the guy once before. I wouldn’t be eager to fight him again if my only reason for doing it was to get a chance to win an 8th world title. I’d feel strange about winning two titles against the same guy. Won’t Pacquiao feel like the titles are a little tainted because it’s from the same fighter? And what about the catch weight? Will Pacquiao do that again?

I think Pacquiao needs to look at fighting other guys rather than Cotto or Margarito. If his whole reason for doing it is to please his promoter, then fight one of Arum’s other guys. Pacquiao needs to stand on his hind legs and suggest some other fighters rather going down the same old road with Cotto or take on a guy that can’t fight in the United States.

Arum has got some decent fighters at light middleweight and welterweight for Pacquiao to fight. Of course, they have titles but Pacquiao can always go after one of the light middleweight champions like Sergeii Dzinziruk next year. He’d probably be a great opponent for November.