SAN ANTONIO–So Manny Pacquaio did not impress until his explosive finish. But he came away from the Alamodome Saturday night with a cut over his left eye from a head butt and an eighth round KO victory over Grade “B” Mexican fighter Jorge Solis. So where, besides his May 14 Congressional election back home, does Pacman go next? Who will he fight next and when? There was some confusion on that issue as there is often is in the immediate wake of a big fight. I spoke to the still bleeding Pacman along press row and he indicated that “negotiations are ongoing for (WBC champion Juan Manuel) Marquez in September.” That’s what the Pinoy Powerhouse said. Promoter Todd DuBoef, president of Top Rank, was less clear. “Manny will fight anyone,” Duboef said. “The problem is the other guys may not like the terms. Manny gets most of the money because he is the attraction.” I then went to DuBoef’s stepfather, Bob Arum, and said his preference for the next Pacman opponent is former world champion, Mexican legend and recent loser to Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera. Is that because Barrera is the biggest name and brings the most moolah, Uncle Bob? “Thank you,” Arum said, smiling brightly. Speaking of confusion, depending on what day it is, MAB is either retiring, fighting on and staying with Golden Boy Promotions or fighting on without De La Hoya’s company handling his business. Arum kept saying MAB woule be at ringside here but he was not present. So the Pacman Next Sweepstakes rolls on.
