Arum toys with idea of Pacquiao vs Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.

MANILA, Philippines – Another name has popped up as possible opponent for Filipino boxing super star Manny Pacquiao – undefeated junior middleweight prospect Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. No less than Pacquiao’s promoter, Top Rank boss Bob Arum, floated the possibility of a Pacquiao-Chavez Jr. tussle after the son and namesake of the legendary Mexican fighter out-pointed Luciano Cuello in Tijuana, Mexico on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) According to boxing sites boxingcene.com and maxboxing.com, Arum promised the 23-year-old Chavez topnotch opponents after his triumph over Cuello and rattled off three big names, the last of whom is expected to generate the most talk. “There are a number of people that come to mind. There’s John Duddy, maybe Oscar de la Hoya if he decides to continue fighting," Hall of Fame promoter Arum was quoted as saying. “And there is third which is a little different because of the size difference but it would be the biggest fight of the year, with Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Manny Pacquiao, Mexico vs. the Philippines (style bouts)," Arum offered. He toys with the idea of Pacquiao vs Chavez Jr as main bout in a Philippines vs Mexico promotion before the end of the year. The young Chavez, who improved his ring record to 39-0-1 (29KO), is campaigning in the 148-154 lbs wars while Pacquiao has only fought once in that vicinity at 147 (against De La Hoya) and is set to mix it up with Ricky Hatton at 140-lbs on May 2 in Las Vegas. The 6’0 Chavez also enjoys a good five -inch edge in height against the Pac Man, although these may very well be offset by Pacquiao like he did against the taller and bigger De La Hoya. But if Arum and the rest of the boxing world like the idea, this fight is not as far-fetched as it initially looks. For his part, Chavez, Jr. said he’s ready to face Pacquiao, De La Hoya or the Irish fighter Duddy next. “Those fights can motivate me, and put me to the next level. I look forward to those challenges," he declared. –GMANews.TV