GEN. SANTOS CITY — Former World Boxing Council super featherweight Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico remains the most attractive option for Filipino ring superstar Manny Pacquiao.
Promoter Wakee Salud, one of Pacquiao’s closest advisers, stressed this Sunday as he pointed to the popularity and appeal of the Mexican great, who has been craving for a rematch with the Filipino champion.
Pacquiao first gained world renown after stopping Barrera in a non-title clash in 2003 in San Antonio, Texas, and experts expect no less than a megabuck fight in their second meeting.
But that could only happen if Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, and the Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) of Oscar De La Hoya come to terms as Barrera, who lost his title to fellow Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez early this year, still has an existing contract with GBP.
Top Rank and GBP are currently engaged in a legal tussle for the right to stage Pacquiao’s fights.
Arum, who briefly joined Pacquiao in his hometown this week, hinted during a dinner held in his honor at the Cafe Alicia here Saturday that the Filipino’s next opponent would likely be known within the week.
Unbeaten Joan Guzman heads the short list of Pacquiao’s possible foes followed by knockout artist Edwin Valero, Barrera and Humberto Soto.
Salud said Marquez, unless he agrees to lower the fee he is demanding to settle an old score against Pacquiao, is out of the loop.
A Marquez-Barrera rematch has reportedly been arranged for September 15, further dampening the scenario of a megabuck fight for Pacquiao within the year.
Though Guzman and Valero hold clean slates, Salud said they aren’t perceived to be in the league of Barrera and Marquez as far as drawing power is concerned.
As to Soto, Salud said he needs to get by Bobby Pacquiao, Manny’s younger brother, on June 9 in New York and another notable fighter to become a certified big leaguer.
The younger Pacquiao is already in Los Angeles, in deep preparation under the watchful eyes of two-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym.
Arum left Sunday morning for Manila and is scheduled to meet with Solar Sports executives before flying to Los Angeles in the afternoon.
Solar and GMA 7 pooled their resources in airing the Pacquiao-Jorge Solis bout in San Antonio, Texas, on April 14.
Sources said Arum and Solar are likely to forge another deal with regards to Manny’s next fight.
