By James Slater: According to advisor Michael Koncz, in speaking with Ringtv.com, superstar Manny Pacquiao will likely return to the ring in either May or June of next year. Koncz said he will be speaking with promoter Bob Arum in Las Vegas, and that there are a number of potential next opponents for Pac-Man.
According to the news piece, the frontrunners to land the massive payday and the massive opportunity are: Lamont Peterson, Timothy Bradley and, in what would be return meetings for Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez and Miguel Cotto.
Naturally, at this early stage there is no word at all on where Pacquiao’s next fight will take place (could Pac-Man take the soon to be incarcerated Floyd Mayweather Junior’s May 5th date in Vegas?), nor is there any idea at what weight the megastar’s next bout will be fought at (another catch-weight for Manny?).
But of the list of possibilities that has materialised, I’d prefer to see Marquez get it on with Pacquiao for a forth time. Talk about a perfect fight for Mexican Independence day weekend in early May! Marquez, as we all know, fully deserves another go at the man he is officially 0-2-1 with (but in the eyes of many fans, “Dinamita” is 1-1-1 with). But will Pacquiao risk things by agreeing to face his archrival for a fourth time?
If not, I’d probably choose a return with Miguel Cotto. Cotto looked magnificent in avenging his only other pro defeat, to Antonio Margarito, and it would be hugely interesting to see if the Puerto Rican favourite could avenge his painful loss to Pac-Man. Remember, Pacquiao has not looked as sizzling as he has in the past just recently, leading some fans to suggest the Filipino southpaw has had his best days. How great would Cotto be seen as if he was able to avenge his Nov. 2009 loss?
Tim Bradley and Lamont Peterson are also excellent fighters as we know, but the two 140-pounders surely have enough business to attend to in their own weight class.
Whoever Pacquiao fights next it will be a big event as always. It will be a special event if Pac-Man gets in there with either Marquez or Cotto. Either fight would be perfect for Las Vegas!
As for the mega-fight many people have grown tired about speaking about, in Pacquiao-Mayweather, Arum suggests the fight could still happen; towards the end of 2012. But has this particular super-fight passed its sell-by date?