Suddenly, everybody wants to get into the picture.
With Manny Pacquiao looking at one big fight by the end of the year, his possible contenders are already making some noise in the hope of landing a million-dollar bout against the hard-hitting Filipino superstar.
Juan Manuel Marquez, Humberto Soto, Marco Antonio Barrera and Joan Guzman, the only non-Mexican among the four, have all sent strong signals of wanting to face Pacquiao as early as September.
The World Boxing Council wants Marquez, the reigning super-featherweight champion, to defend his title against Pacquiao, while Top Rank Promotions wants their left-handed slugger to face Barrera next.
Marquez said he’ d like to face Pacquiao so they could settle an old score – a controversial draw in 2004 when the Mexican was floored thrice in the opening round but managed to last the distance.
Still, Soto has hurled a challenge to Pacquiao with the fast-rising puncher from Mexico City saying he’ll take care of Manny after he takes care of the other Pacquiao, Bobby, at the Madison Square Garden on June 9.
“After Bobby, I want Manny,” said Soto who showed up at the Alamodome during Pacquiao’s match against Jorge Solis less than two weeks ago.
Soto and Pacquiao are under Top Rank while Marquez, Barrera and Guzman are with Golden Boy. The two promotional outfits are locked in a legal battle over Pacquiao, considered the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter today.
The other day, Barrera said he’d like to face Pacquiao on Sept. 15 in Las Vegas for the awaited rematch of their 2003 showdown where the Mexican was knocked out in the 11th round.
Barrera said he’d be “delighted” if Pacquiao accepts the challenge. If the fight happens, it gives Barrera a big chance to redeem himself against Pacquiao, and from a painful loss to Marquez last March.
Barrera said if Pacquiao declines, the 33-year-old Mexican assassin will instead face Guzman, the cocky and undefeated boxer from the Dominican Republic. Just a day after Barrera’s statement, Guzman said he’s willing to fight Barrera.
Top Rank wants Pacquiao to face Barrera as it plans to pit Soto against Marquez, also by the end of the year.
Many believe that Soto has a good chance against Marquez who may not be the wise opponent for Pacquiao at this time as the Filipino is in the middle of a big political move that might serve as a distraction later on.
If Pacquiao beats Barrera and Soto pulls it off against Marquez, the two fighters under Top Rank may face each other in the first big fight of 2008.
