Almost everyday, somebody comes out with a bold statement claiming he has what it takes to kick Manny Pacquiao?s behind.
Ever since Pacquiao burst into the scene with his menacing ways on top of the ring, an ex-world champion, a rising and unbeaten contender, a long-reigning titleholder and a retired but decorated former champion have been making noise on how they plan to stop the Filipino icon.
Interestingly, some of the trash-talkers have either been knocked out in low-profile matches or simply faded into the horizon before they were given the chance to rumble with the best.
Now that Pacquiao has assumed the role of boxing?s best pound-for-pound, there are actually just two names out there that could constitute a Pacquiao bout truly a mega fight: Ricky Hatton of England and Floyd Mayweather Jr. of the United States.
Hatton looks to be the frontrunner since talks between his people and promotional outfit, Oscar De La Hoya?s Golden Boy Promotions, and Pacquiao?s company MP Promotions and Bob Arum?s Top Rank, have been discussing the details of a proposed May 2 showdown at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
While Mayweather has remained retired, he has dispatched his emissary, Leonard Ellerbe, to sense what?s happening in the boxing community following Pacquiao?s eye-popping stoppage of De La Hoya.
Based on Ellerbe?s pronouncements, it is certain that Mayweather, 31, who announced his retirement following his knockout win over Hatton, will be forced to come out and fight Pacquiao if and when the Filipino gets past Hatton.
Until his retirement, Mayweather was considered the best boxer in the world. Pacquiao inherited the title after he flattened David Diaz for his fourth world title in as many weight categories.
Pacquiao legitimized his claim to that mythical title when he bludgeoned De La Hoya to an eighth-round TKO defeat.
The Filipino?s sweat-free destruction of the face of boxing may have ignited a fire in Mayweather?s belly since he had to settle for a split decision win over De La Hoya in May 2007.
These are the two fights that keenly await Pacquiao before he enters politics in 2010.
Apart from Hatton and Mayweather, also in the running for a Pacquiao fight is Juan Manuel Marquez, the Mexican who is regarded as his nemesis.
“If Manny wants, I can even fight him inside his house,” said Marquez, who had drawn with Pacquiao in May 2004 and lost by split verdict last March in the rematch.
