By Robert Elmore: Rather than drag the reader through the dirt with a long dialog, I’ll cut right to the chase. Former WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto was probably never an option for Manny Pacquiao’s next fight in November or December. It’s going to be Juan Manuel Marquez and it always has been.

It only makes sense. A rematch with Tim Bradley would do horrible numbers, but a fourth fight with Marquez might bring in some dough. Cotto probably wanted more money, 10oz gloves (which Pacquiao didn’t use against Antonio Margarito) and no catchweight. Cotto’s name was likely a smoke screen. The word in the boxing world is that Manny’s contract is up next year with Top Rank. It could be that Arum is trying to pin Pacquiao into a corner with the limited options he’s presenting him.

So for the first time, it might be Pacquiao who needs a knockout in order not to leave the fight in the judges hands I wouldn’t be shocked to the least if Marquez is victorious via SPLIT decision. So for the first time, it might be Pacquiao who needs a knockout in order not to leave the fight in the judges hands. If he does lose the fight, he’s lost in more ways than one. The first one is, with two straight loses, it takes more steam off an already “lost interest for some” fight with Floyd Mayweather. Pac has more power than he thinks. He can put his foot down and tell Arum “Get me that Mayweather fight or else”. Or he can just simply not fight this year and wait until his contract is up.

People have awakened to see the games that have been played. Only the loyal Pacquiao fans see that it’s still Mayweather’s fault. Now if Pacquiao somehow gets past Marquez, leaves Arum, and the fight with Mayweather is made in no time flat, the conformation will be complete. Remember, after Cotto left Top Rank, his fight with Mayweather was put together in no time. It’s time for Pacquiao to take a stand.