WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is set to return to the ring on Nov. 22 possibly in Macau, China but his long-time promoter Bob Arum has not yet presented a shortlist of possible opponents for the Filipino boxing star. Usually, Arum sits down with Pacquiao with a shortlist of possible opponents a week or two before the start of training camp. At this time, Arum is in no hurry as he has close to two months more to present his shortlist to Pacquiao. Before looking around for names to be included in his list, Arum is expected to browse on his list of welterweight fighters who are pay-per-view veterans or potential PPV attractions for inclusion to the shortlist. Here are three Top Rank (TR) welterweight fighters who could make it to the shortlist of possible opponents of Pacquiao in his November ring return.
JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ Marquez could be on top of the Arum list but there at least two issues that need to be cleared before the final choice can be made. These include the fight purse and the random drug test that Pacquiao will require him to undergo with Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA). Marquez wants a whooping $20 million fight purse for a fifth fight with Pacquiao which Arum did not like. Marquez reportedly settled for a meager pay of $1.5 million in his latest fight against Mike Alvarado. Marquez has not categorically stated that he will undergo random blood and urine tests all the way up to the day of the fight.
Romeo Marquez A poster promoting Manny Pacquiao’s and Juan Manuel Marquez CARLOS ABREGU Abregu has been mentioned by Arum for inclusion in his shortlist. The Argentine fighter has a career record of 37 fights, losing only once in his professional career. His lone loss was against Timothy Bradley in July 2010. Abregu,30, stands 5’10” or 4″ higher than Pacquiao and with a reach of 72″. Abregu, who is coming off a TKO win against Jean Calos Prada, has yet to win a major title. JESSIE VARGAS Vargas, 25, is the reigning WBA and IBO light welterweight champion. He is unbeaten in 24 professional fights. Vargas stands 5’11” or 5″ higher than Pacquiao, who stands 5’6″and with a reach of 72″. He is set to defend his title against Russian Anton Novikov on August 2 in Las Vegas Nevada. Two other TR fighters who could have made it to Arum’s shortlist include Mike Alvarado and Ruslan Provodnikov, who both lost in their last fights. Outside of the TR stable, two other fighters are being mentioned to complete the Arum shortlist and they include Chris Algieri, who prevailed over Provodnicov last June 14 and Marcos Maidana, who recently lost to Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Amir Khan also wants Pacquiao for his next fight but it is doubtful if he can sort out his schedules because of the Ramadan holidays.
