WORLD super-featherweight champion Joan Guzman may have defended his crown successfully yesterday against Humberto Soto. But he may have earned more doubters in his objective to fight Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.
Guzman, 31, cruised to an almost trouble-free 12-round decision win over his brave Mexican challenger at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Guzman fought safely the whole bout by moving out of harm?s way every time Soto stepped up his attacks.
Guzman used more of his footwork than his once-feared punched that gave him the moniker ?Little Tyson.?
Scores of the bout were 117-111, 117-111 and 118-110 all for Guzman who put his World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-featherweight belt on the line.
Guzman upped his record to 28-0 with 17 knockouts but his win hardly created any buzz for a top prospect lining up as Pacquiao?s foe.
In an interview with the BusinesMirror, International promoter Rex ?Wakee? Salud said what Pacquiao really wants to face is a fighter who will stand toe-to-toe with the Filipino boxing superstar.
Pacquiao is slated to leave on Wednesday for the United States to negotiate terms and agree on his opponent for his next outing.
Joining Pacquiao is wife Jinkee, lawyer Jing Gacal and representatives from Nike Philippines. Pacquiao will reportedly shoot a Nike commercial in the US.
A March 15 schedule has been penciled with HBO for Pacquiao?s next fight.
Still topping the list of Pacquiao?s next opponent is World Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico.
In close second is WBC lightweight champion David Diaz, a fighter promoted by Top Rank Inc.
Pacquiao is copromoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions after the Filipino fighter signed similar promotional deals with both outfits. A legal battle ensued by was eventually settled through the intercession of retired San Francisco judge Daniel Weinstein.
Under the set-up, all of Pacquiao?s fight will be co-promoted by both Top Rank and GBP. Their initial venture happened last month when Pacquiao fought and defeated Marco Antonio Barrera, a GBP-promoted boxer.
Pacquiao won a 12-round unanimous verdict that forced the Mexican to announce his retirement.
A source from the Pacquiao said Arum is trying to convince GBP Execs to consider a Top Rank fighter for the March gig.
Should Arum be able to convince GBP, a company owned by boxing idol Oscar Dela Hoya, Marquez may have to kiss his dream of fighting Pacquiao in March goodbye, as he is promoted by GBP.
Meanwhile, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight title eliminator between Filipino Z Gorres and former world flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan will happen in the Philippines.
Gorres?s manager Michael Aldeguer informed the BusinessMirror that the camp of Darchinyan has agreed to come to the Philippines and face the one-time world title challenger for Cebu.
Aldeguer added that they have set a February 2 schedule for the eliminator which will most likely be staged in Cebu.
