Many people predict that a victory for Manny Pacquiao on May 7 is almost a foregone conclusion. If this is the case, then Boxing Dispatch takes a look at the questions that will be asked in the fall-out of such an event and why there are more questions than answers.
Why is Manny Pacquiao such a heavy favorite?
For many a victory for Manny Pacquiao on May 7 seems almost inevitable. Out go the cries that Shane Mosley is old, slow(er) and a shadow of the man who ruled the lightweight and welterweight division the previous decade. Some of this is understandable. Mosley was slowly tenderized by Floyd Mayweather for ten rounds, while his fight against Sergio Mora was positively interminable. Manny Pacquiao meanwhile won a belt in a record eighth division and booked Antonio Margarito into a reconstructive plastic surgery appointment. One fighter is being called by many to retire, while the other is facing calls to hold off such talk for as long as possible.
Who does Manny Pacquiao fight next?
According to widespread reports a formal offer was made to Juan Manuel Marquez to face Manny Pacquiao in the fall. After many years as a Golden Boy fighter Marquez is now a free-agent, and more crucially Marquez is free from Golden Boy, the bitter enemy of Pacquiao’s promoter Top Rank. Marquez has been campaigning for a third fight with Pacquiao for the past two years and with good reason. The first fight was ruled a draw, while the second was ruled narrowly in Pacquiao’s favor. However both were seen to be victories for Marquez in many quarters, and both were seen as ‘Fight of the Year’ contenders. The only stumbling block for Marquez now is that Golden Boy has an option to match any offer that Marquez may receive. Marquez has likely turned down a summer fight with Zab Judah to avoid jeopardizing a fight with Pacquiao in the autumn.
If not Marquez then who else can Pacquiao fight?
For a while now Amir Khan, Manny Pacquiao’s stablemate at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym has been on a collision course with Timothy Bradley in the junior welterweight division. Bradley has been offered the fight with Khan, but apparently the money is not right. Cameron Dunkin (Bradley’s manager) and Gary Shaw, (Bradley’s promoter) seem to differ on the financials. Bradley’s promotional deal with Shaw comes to an end in July. Does that free him up for a fight with Pacquiao in the fall should the Marquez fight fall through?
What happens to Shane Mosley?
As court papers revealed in December 2010, ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley’s life is not that sweet. His alimony payments to ex-wife Jin were listed as $20,000 a month. Shane also gave up his equity stake in Golden Boy Promotions to face Pacquiao also. Despite calls from many quarters it look like Mosley will fight on regardless. Shane might be past his best, but as Bob Arum explained once, he is a ‘name’, and a name that can still pay it’s way in the boxing game.
Will Manny Pacquiao fight Floyd Mayweather?
That ships looks like it sailed a while ago, with no one on board as both sides laid blame on each other. Drug tests or no drug tests Mayweather is embroiled in a legal case and is happy to spend his time with 50 Cent. Pacquiao meanwhile is juggling political office, a pop career, acting oh, and yes some boxing.
Source: boxingdispatch.com
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