Manny Pacquiao arguably has become the biggest star in boxing.
He is worshiped in his native Philippines, and his powerful style has made him a popular, marketable attraction in the United States.
This week, former victim Marco Antonio Barrera announced his eagerness to fight “Pac-Man.” He tops a sexy list of future Pacquiao opponents.
Pac-Man dance card
Barrera: The “Baby-Faced Assassin” shockingly was blown out by Pacquiao in November 2003, via 11th-round TKO. He was so dominated that some experts predicted Barrera never would be the same.
The experts were wrong, however, as Barrera bounced back to beat Paulie Ayala, archrival Erik Morales, Mzonke Fana and Robbie Peden to reestablish himself as one of the best fighters in the world.
There also is evidence to suggest Barrera was not himself in the loss to Pacquiao. He had to flee his training camp in Big Bear because of the California wildfires. And he had to explain a hail of controversy surrounding bizarre brain surgery he underwent earlier in his career.
And while Pacquiao’s power and speed may have had something to do with Barrera’s demise, it was fairly obvious that Barrera lacked his usual fire. Whatever the case, Filipinos, Mexicans and Americans alike want to find out once and for all, who’s better? If made, Pacquiao-Barrera 2 would be one of the biggest fights in boxing. Odds: Pacquiao 2-1.
Erik Morales: After Pacquiao’s 10th-round destruction of Morales in their Jan. 21 rematch, some are wondering why this fight is even happening. But Morales has exercised his rematch clause, and the rubber match is tentatively set for Sept. 16 at the Nevada-Las Vegas football stadium.
There is little reason to believe Morales has any kind of chance. He fought with his usual guts in the Pacquiao rematch, but the legs were gone — a sure sign of a fighter on the way out.
It appears “El Terrible’s” last, great stand was his March 2005 decision against Pacquiao. Now Pac-Man is superior in almost every way. Odds: Pacquiao 4-1.
New face, old Prince
Chris John: The new featherweight champ is a mystery man to most of the boxing world. Last week’s upset against Pacquiao-nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez took place in John’s native Indonesia and was not televised. However, John appears to be a legitimate threat to Pacquiao, considering the ease in which he took care of Marquez (John won by scores of 117-111, 116-110 and 116-112).
By all accounts, John is a skilled, tactical boxer who can make life hell for an aggressive puncher like Pac-Man. At this point, though, John would be a considerable underdog. Odds: Pacquiao 3-1.
“Prince” Naseem Hamed: Lately, Hamed’s name has become a punchline to a joke. However, the Englishman was talking comeback last week at the Joe Calzaghe-Jeff Lacy fight in Manchester. And what an international fireworks display a Pacquiao-Hamed fight would be.
Of course, it’s nothing more than fantasy. But you have to admit, it would be fun while it lasted — which probably wouldn’t be for long. And does watching Hamed absorb a beating really ever get tiresome? Odds: Pacquiao 6-1.
Matthew Aguilar may be reached at [email protected]; 546-6166.
