By Eduardo Reyes: All this talk about who the great Filipino Slugger Manny Pacquiao should fight next has the boxing world including both fans and fighters in a frenzy. Pacquiao’s Promoter Bob Arum has laid out a list of 3 possible opponents for Pacquiao to face next which are, Super star and future hall of famer “sugar” Shane Mosley, the sports most brilliant technical fighter and also future hall of famer Juan Manuel Marquez, and the young, fast, and slick Andre Berto. This list consist of fighters that are distinct both in skills, age, and style.

But who should Pacquiao face next? Lets make an analysis on what each fighter mentioned has to offer. Starting with the oldest in the list, Sugar Shane, once a fast, slick, powerful puncher who gave great fights no discredit to him, although he is a hall of famer age has caught up with him. He no longer possesses the gun power he once did and won’t be able to outgun Pacquiao , he would get hit flush with Pacquiao’s superior hand speed and power, Pacquiao delivers complicated angles that even a young Juan Manuel Marquez had trouble seeing and as a result got knocked down several times, what possibilities does a 38 year old Shane Mosley really have? From my view not much, even the most optimistic fan knows this. This match would add a question mark to Pacquiao’s legacy.

Second in the list, Juan Manuel Marquez. The sports most brilliant technical fighter, and a tremendously smart boxer. Not only has Juan Manuel proved in his recent fights that age is not a problem for him, he has increased his knock out ratio also. He out smarted a young Juan Diaz in their first match and knocked him out, overwelming his opponents with body shots, and fierce combinations. Giving Pacquiao the most difficult 2 fights of his career he has been desperately trying to obtain a third fight with Pacquiao. As a Juan Manuel Marquez fan I personally want to see the fight happen, but as a boxing fan I know its not Manny that is avoiding Juan, I don’t think there is any avoiding at all. It is simply business for Arum. Juan Manuel would bring a great fight, he has the desire, heart, will, skills, and experience to create a fierce third fight with Manny. Over all he is the one out of the three who most deserves the fight. He has proved once and again he still possesses the ability to fight with younger, faster, stronger opponents.

Third in the list is Andre Berto. A young, fast and slick fighter who has good power and good skills. I say good and not great because he is yet to prove himself to be worthy to be fighting in the advanced leagues. With no impressive names on his resume Berto still needs introduction on to the boxing world. Remember maybe hardcore fans like you and I may know him but the ocassional boxing fan knows only what the announcers, commentators, and promoters choose to tell him. If they tell him Berto is a great power puncher with the capability to knock Pacquiao out he will believe it and buy the fight. No discredit to Berto, he does have all the elements to make an exciting match happen and he is a good well rounded fighter. Berto throws in combinations with speed and power. He has a devastating uppercut that is well mixed in his combinations and his speed makes him even more dangerous. He has decent foot work and a great defense. He is a counter puncher with a similar style to a young Sugar Shane. Keeping his head up high at times when he jabs is one weakness but overall he is a good up and coming young star. But he is not yet tested. He is still questionable to me. He should fight Shane Mosley to gain recognition and to be tested with Shane’s experience. In other words Berto doesn’t deserve to fight the pound for pound king, yet.

Fans will eagerly be waiting to see the king back in action, Arum said he will let Pacquiao choose. Lets hope who ever he picks will bring a good fight to the fans. Who do you think Manny should face? And why?