According to trainer Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao will not only be back at full speed after his May 2 loss to Floyd Mayweather and subsequent rehab for his shoulder injury, but the Filipino icon will jump straight back into the fire with a tough, world class opponent.
Although Team Pacquiao has mentioned their hope to meet Floyd Mayweather in a rematch, that may not be possible. The tentative cease fire between warring Mayweather and Pacquiao factions has completely fallen apart in the wake of the mega-fight and animosity is greater now than ever before, with Mayweather calling Pacquiao a liar and a coward for mentioning his shoulder injury. Meanwhile, Pacquiao?s promoter Bob Arum has filed a lawsuit against Mayweather?s adviser Al Haymon for alleged illegal business tactics.
Nevertheless, the show must go on and if a Mayweather rematch is beyond his reach, Pacquiao has a solid set of potential opponents from which to choose. In recent media reports, Arum has mentioned the possibility of Manny facing heavy-handed Lucas Matthysse, IBF welterweight champ Kell Brook, or rising star Terence Crawford in his return bout, tentatively slated for the first half of next year.
Brook and Crawford would be truly difficult tasks for Pacquiao, with a great risk of defeat. Both are athletically-gifted, slick, well-rounded boxers would sound boxing IQs. Crawford, especially, has the makings of a future superstar. On the other hand, Argentina?s Matthysse is straight-up battler with great power in both hands and a warrior?s instinct in the ring?He?d also be the most stylistically beatable high-level PPV-worthy opponent for Pacquiao. Other possibilities include a part 5 with Juan Manuel Marquez, a part 3 with Timothy Bradley, Ruslan Provodnikov, and Diego Chaves.
Regardless of the opponent, Freddie Roach insists that Manny is 100% committed to a full and fruitful return to the ring.
?He?s still having a lot of fun with it, he loves the sport,? Roach recently told USA Today. ?I think he?s gotta couple of fights left in him.?
That?s good news for fans of Manny Pacquiao and good news for the sport of boxing in general.
Now, here?s your chance to make your opinion known to Team Pacquiao. Who should Manny fight next (Assuming a Mayweather rematch is off the table)?
