By Tommaso Nappo: I understand that Manny Pacquiao has a difficult fight ahead with Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12th, but to be honest I don’t see it going the distance I like Manny within 7 rounds. But if that happens who is next. To follow are a number of possible contenders and what pro’s and con’s associated with them involved in a Pacquiao fight.
It is rumored and widely speculated that Pacquiao has probably no more then 3 fights left ( 4 at the most) which would take him into 2013. The big question is who are going to be in those spots.
Juan Miguel Marquez
While I feel he will lose this upcoming fight with Pacquiao should he win things change drastically.
Pro’s – It would be a fourth fight between two great superstars who would have had three previous great fights.
No problem selling this fight to the public.
Con’s – Only way this fight happens is for JMM to win in Nov which in itself is a tall order.
Percentage likely hood of fight happening 5%
Miguel Cotto
Needs to win and win impressively against Margarito in Dec.
Pro’s – Has a large loyal following if rematch were to take place in NYC could be big.
Is a Top Rank fighter which means fight is very easy to negotiate.
Con’s – Is considered damaged goods , real question if he could actually hurt Manny or at least get his respect.
Percentage likely hood of fight happening 65%
Antonio Margarito
Needs to win and win impressively against Cotto in Dec
Pro’s – Blood and guts fighter never in a dull fight
Is a Top Rank fighter which means fight is very easy to negotiate.
Con’s – Even if he beats Cotto can he really get over the terrible beating Manny laid on him and make a fight out of it this time?
Percentage of likely hood fight happening 70%
Amir Khan
Needs a victory over a big name at welterweight first.
Pro’s – Is young and very confident
A fight in England with Pacquiao would do incredible money
Con’s – Is a Golden Boy fighter which makes negotiations more difficult
Shares the same trainer as Manny Freddie Roach
Is friends with Manny
Percentage of likely hood fight happening 75% ** If Mayweather doesn’t select Khan as his next opponent 85%
Tim Bradley
Nee to move up to Welterweight and beat a legitimate contender.
Pro’s – Undefeated
Young and very confident
Is a Top Rank fighter which means a fight will be easy to negotiate
Con’s Seen as too small to deal with Manny at welterweight.
Relatively unknown not a draw
Percentage of likely hood fight happening 50%
Sergio Martinez
Any fight with Manny would be at a catch weight of no more then 150lbs
Pro’s – A skilled Champion considered a pound for pound leader
Another belt being on the line Martinez’s Middleweight title would be another incentive and challenge for Manny.
Martinez and his promoter are willing to make alot of concessions to bring this fight together.
Con’s – While considered a great fighter and is THE Middleweight champion he is not a huge draw.
May just be too big for Manny even at a contractual weight of 150 he would probably enter the ring close to 170.
Percentage of likely hood fight happening 80% ** If Mayweather doesn’t select Martinez as his next opponent 85%
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Any fight would also be at a catch weight of no more then 150lbs
Pro’s – The Chavez name would draw especially against Pacquiao in Mexico City
Is a Top Rank fighter so fight could be made easily
Con’s – Would be perceived as a terrible mismatch and rightly so
Would papa Chavez sacrifice his son for a big payday ala Smoking Joe Frazier did with his son Marvin ?
Even though it would be for ” a Middleweight title” it wouldn’t be for THE Middleweight title.
Percentage of likely hood fight happening 25%
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Depends of what Floyd decides to do whether to continue fighting or to retire?
Pro’s – Would be “The Fight” of our generation
No doubt will be the largest grossing fight of all time
Con’s – Ego’s of both fighters and their camps won’t allow them to be dictated too which makes negotiating a fight especially one of this
magnitude extremely difficult.
Floyd’s penchant for getting himself in trouble outside the ring (ie the law, tax man) could prevent this fight from ever happening.
Percentage of likely hood fight happening 10%
As you can see I don’t believe a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight will ever take place, and if it doesn’t for that very reason I believe Pacquiao would chose to go out in grand style and take on Martinez. I see Manny taking on the winner of Cotto vs. Margarito next, followed by him fighting Khan in England, then finishing of with Martinez once it is apparent a fight with Floyd is not going to happen.
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