If there is one fight that makes most sense for Manny Pacquiao, 35, after his convincing Saturday night triumph over erstwhile WBO welterweight ruler Timothy Bradley, it is not a long overdue super fight with Floyd Mayweather Jnr ? who could be aligned with the winner of a July 12 punch-up between Erislandy Lara and Saul Alvarez, or a fighter recently signed to Al Hayman; Amir Khan ? but a previous opponent, one who makes sense with the organisation (WBO) and cents for the promoter (Bob Arum).
Out of all the pay-per-view revenue generated from all Manny?s fights since Erik Morales in 2005, Pacquiao?s second duel with Juan Manuel Marquez remains the most lucrative with $71,188,000 generated through 1.25 million purchases. Even Pacquiao?s first fight with Marquez drew 2/3rds of the total money received from pay-per-view than his 2013 bout with Brandon Rios did ? and that was before the Filipino beat Oscar de la Hoya to become a pugilistic superstar. Opponent Broadcaster Purchases Revenue Juan Manuel Marquez II, III + IV HBO 2,637,000 $147,532,000 Crazy in the modern era where every network wants 60 bucks off you (or a tenner a month if you?re a British resident), but the first time Pacman met his future nemesis Marquez, it was not a pay to view event. However, their subsequent three matches all were and almost generated $150,000,000 ? an unprecedented sum. There is no question that the peak of Pacquiao?s drawing power as the A-side fighter was against Miguel Cotto, incidentally, two bouts after his stand-out victory over Oscar de la Hoya (as the B-side) and one of his all-time best victories ? an 11th round stoppage of a legitimate Canastota-bound Puerto Rican warrior. Pacquiao has not broken one million pay-per-view buys since his third fight with Marquez and, while the numbers are not yet known for how much of a financial success his rematch with Timothy Bradley is, it will unlikely better the amount of buys or money received from his fourth fight with Juan Manuel in what was supposed to represent a bout that could settle the rivalry. Opponent Broadcaster Purchases Revenue Oscar de la Hoya (2008) HBO 1,250,000 $69,938,000 Miguel Cotto (2009) HBO 1,200,000 $67,140,000 Antonio Margarito (2010) HBO 1,150,000 $64,343,000 Shane Mosley (2011) Showtime 1,200,000 $68,340,000 Juan Manuel Marquez (2011) HBO 1,250,000 $71,188,000 Juan Manuel Marquez (2012) HBO 980,000 $55,811,000 Of course, Marquez flattened Pacquiao with a haunting right hand in images that continue to be circulated today, yet because Pacquiao has successfully come back against a: Brandon Rios and then b: Bradley ? to right the first of his 2012 defeats ? it therefore makes a fifth dust-up with Marquez worthwhile, not least because it rights the second of his losses that year, but also because it?s a guaranteed money-maker. Marquez recently dropped a 12-round split decision to Bradley in October, surrendering his WBO crown, which is now being worn by Pacquiao. The Mexican veteran now has a WBO eliminator set for May 17 against Mike Alvarado. That is a dangerous match-up ? it can easily de-rail any plans Bob Arum of Top Rank has of making a fifth fight possible as Alvarado is a capable boxer providing he doesn?t get dragged into a punching war as, more likely than not, he will leave such a battle on his back, dragged backstage like a trophy, especially against a fighter with legitimate welterweight power in Marquez ? as his 3rd round knockdown and 6th round knockout of Pacquiao is testament to. There has been much talk of a Pacquiao ? Mayweather fight since the former?s weekend win, yet Manny would be in a far greater place: financially and, more importantly, psychologically if he heads into negotiations for that fight having avenged both his recent losses. This career plan may also fit Floyd. Mayweather?s bout with Marcos Maidana is his fourth in his bumper-Showtime contract. Should he box either Khan or the Lara ? Alvarez winner in September that would be his fifth and, should Danny Garcia maintain his momentum then the under-rated Philadelphian could be the sixth ? leaving Floyd free to negotiate what would be the most lucrative single-fight contract of his career, his 50th bout, with any network of his choosing. For Pacquiao, it would be beneficial if that was HBO.
