'IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT'

So declares boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao in emphasizing the main criterion his camp is looking at in choosing his immediate next ring opponent.

The name Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao no longer needs further elaboration to boxing fanatics. He is even known to non-boxing buffs for which reason he is now reaping bigger bucks as an international endorser of well known sporting goods and beverage.

Manny's "3-A" slogan to fight "anybody, anytime, anywhere" he executed to the letter brought him to superstardom. The Pacman holds no "official" title as a world champion. But seeing world title holders David Diaz, Juan Manuel Marquez, Joel Casamayor and Joan Guzman queuing up to be gifted with the privilege to face him confirms Manny's stature as bigger than the belts the sanctioning bodies could confer.

As Manny's stock was rising in the boxing scene his monetary fight price was less compared to what was paid his then highly regarded opponents. But any of those prices was right. What Manny did not earn in money he did in slowly making a name for himself.

After knocking down Marco Antonio Barrera in the 3rd round of their first fight, the TV commentator was overheard shouting, "Now they know who Manny Pacquiao is!"

The "they" has since expanded from the mostly hostile Alamo Dome crowd to the appreciative worldwide audience including those who merely identify with the products he endorse.

The price was right. The sacrifices in the gym, keeping oneself fit at the time of his life when Manny could already eat anything, anytime, anywhere he wants, and all the other "prices" to be paid just to be where he is now, have been right.

Manny is now in the position to command what price is right when he fights. He rightly deserves so. He has captured the high regard his previous opponents held and much more.

But like in his ascent to the top, it was not all money that was meant "price". Manny established himself as a boxing gem and earned the moniker "Pacman" bedcause of his fearless "anybody, anytime, anywhere" battle cry and crowd exciting style. This price could even be of higher value than the monetary version of it.

After convincingly hurdling their pre-final tests Marquez and Guzman have earned their respective places to be seriously considered worthy opponents who could give boxing fans the fight excitement they look for in a fight with the Pacman. This excitement the fans sorely missed in the Pac-MAB II fight as MAB just fought to survive.

There is no question Manny could choose to invade the lightweights or super-featherweights. This is his well merited prerogative. But if Manny does not fight either Marquez or Guzman at this time when either fighter could give the fight fans a memorable and exciting fight with him, there will be a price to pay.

It would hit on the non-monetary side of it. And it might be right.