If Floyd Jr keeps 'ducking' then Pacquiao will face Marquez, Mosley, or Berto -- Examiner

By Rick Rockwell, Examiner.com

So, it all comes down to how much "intestinal fortitude" Floyd Mayweather Jr has. If we go by his recent history then it's clear that Floyd Jr wants no part of Manny Pacquiao. In fact, he rather retire or get arrested than sign a contract to fight boxing's pound for pound champion. It's clear that all it would take is for Floyd Jr to sign his name on a contract, an even purse, and a negotiated window for drug testing and everything is golden. It's funny how we haven't heard much from the Mayweathers about the drug accusations of Manny after he destroyed Margarito.

I'm going to predict that Floyd Jr will duck Manny again and force Top Rank Promotions to go to Plan B or Plan C. According to Bob Arum, there are 3 other potential fights that he will discuss with Manny for the next fight; which probably won't be until April or May.

In an interview with Fanhouse, Arum had the following to say about Manny's next opponent:

" Assuming that Mayweather doesn't surface, I will present to Manny, hopefully, three proposals. The Mosley deal is one. I have yet to talk to [Andre Berto's promoter] Lou DiBella for us to talk about the deal, but he knows the format. And I will also present to Manny the Marquez deal."

Let's examine these potential match ups further.

Shane Mosley

Back in March when Floyd Mayweather Jr defeated Shane Mosley, everyone was stating how old and tired Shane looked. Why would Manny Pacquiao want to fight a washed up fighter like Mosley? I can't even see how this fight is an option. Manny enjoys fighting for his fans but I haven't heard many fans shout that they want to see him fight Mosley. Manny has very few fights left in his career and facing Mosley is a now win situation. He would be heavily favored to win. And if somehow lightning struck Manny in the middle of the ring and Mosley gets credit for the KO, then it would do more damage to Manny's legacy than good. There's absolutely no upside to this.

Andre Berto

I am actually intrigued with this match up. I think Andre Berto has potential and can provide a better challenge to Pacquiao than Antonio Margarito or Joshua Clottey did. Berto is 27-0 and the current WBC welterweight champion. I believe this fight would draw more attention than the Margarito or Clottey fight within the boxing community but not within the general public. I say, give Berto one more fight against a known fighter and then line him up against Pacquiao. Perhaps, Berto vs. Mosley?

Juan Manuel Marquez

Here's what Arum had to say about Marquez in the same interview with Fanhouse:

"Well, there are two key things with Marquez that are important. One is their fight will be at 147 pound.So, again, I know exactly what Marquez got for the Mayweather fight, alright? And he lost that fight. So, at best, he's not entitled to any more than that.Why should he get more money to fight Manny than he got to fight Mayweather? Why? So, you know, I don't need a big negotiation. And we're not going to need to negotiate with [Golden Boy CEO] Richard Schaefer or anybody like that."

For my thoughts on the matchup between Pacquiao and Marquez,

I personally would like to see Manny fight Marquez one more time. I would love to see Manny put the final nail in Marquez's career. In fact, Freddie Roach shares the same sentiments. Roach has been very vocal in saying he would love to see Manny knockout Juan Manuel Marquez.

Of course, many of Pacquiao's fans take it a step further and say they would love to see Manny knockout Juan "the urinator" Marquez. This is in reference to Marquez's consumption of urine. We won't go any further into this topic because it makes me sick.

If Katsidis wins tonight, I think that the prospects of a fight with Marquez would be destroyed. However, I don't see any reason for Pacquiao to fight Katsidis no matter how much he publicly challenges Manny.

I would prefer Manny fight a rematch with Miguel Cotto or face Andre Berto. A fight with Katsidis does nothing for me and from most fans from the feedback that I have received over this potential matchup.

Clearly, the PacWatch is on as to whom he fights next. I predict Pacquiao has two or three more fights left in his career and that's only if he doesn't fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. If he fights Mayweather Jr and wins, then we will see Manny ride off into the sunset like a conquering hero.

Source: examiner.com