LOS ANGELES ? Ahead of what could be his last fight as a super-featherweight, Manny Pacquiao has issued an early warning to those in the higher weight class.
Pacquiao said Friday whatever happens in his anticipated rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez at Mandalay Bay, the lure of moving up in weight will remain strong.
?Even at 140 (lbs) I think I can compete there. It?s a storm out there,? said the current, most dominant force in the crowded 130 lb class.
?But we can make it at 140,? he added.
Larry Merchant, the legendary ring commentator, stuck his neck out for Pacquiao by saying the Filipino can still be a force to reckon with in the higher class.
Even before his rematch with Marquez was sealed very late last year, talks about Pacquiao moving up to the lightweight class (135 lbs) began.
In fact, lightweight champions David Diaz and Juan Diaz were considered as possible opponent in case a rematch with Marquez doesn?t work out.
But it did, and with a world title and the biggest paycheck of his career on the table, Paccquiao decided to stay at 130.
If Pacquiao beats Marquez next week in Vegas, his promoter, Bob Arum, will push for a title shot against David Diaz of the WBC on June 21 either in Las Vegas or Macau.
For his coming fight, Pacquiao?s weight remains in check, and there?s talk within the Filipino camp that he could even tip the scales at 129 lbs in next week?s official weigh-in.
Pacquiao was at 133 lbs last Monday, and after four days on the road and at the gym should have shaved another pound off his chiseled frame.
Pacquiao faces the mandatory weigh-in set by WBC Saturday or one week before the fight, and neither fighter can weigh five percent more than the 130-lb limit.
If he had problems making 130 against Marco Antonio Barrera last October, certainly not this time.
