Pacquiao on next foe: It’s all up to Top Rank

MANILA, Philippines – The name of comebacking Floyd Mayweather, Jr. makes the most buzz as next in line for Manny Pacquiao but then again, it would be up to Top Rank to make the choice. So said Pacquiao himself, who according to the timetable of trainer Freddie Roach, should fight again by October or November after his brutal dismantling of ex-IBO and Ring Magazine light-welterweight champ Ricky Hatton. “Bakasyon muna ako and I’m waiting for the next fight probably this coming October or November," Pacquiao said in an interview on DZBB Monday. The fight with Mayweather, who is set to climb the ring anew against Pacquaio’s old rival Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18, is tempting but there’s a business angle to consider. For one, Mayweather will likely demand the lion’s share of the purse, something that Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum will surely contest. In a recent interview in Manila, Arum said the Pacman deserves to get the larger pie in any fight, being boxing’s top draw and moneymaker. Aside from Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Sugar Shane Mosley and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. are also being floated as possible opponents for Pacquiao. Arum is reportedly more inclined towards a gig between Pacquiao and stablemate Cotto later in the year in an apparent effort to corner sole promotional rights and earning. But the top dog out there is certainly Mayweather, whom fight fans have wanted for Pacquiao in a battle between P4P superstars. While expressing readiness to take on for Mayweather or anyone else, Pacquiao is leaving it up to Top Rank to make the match. “Depende iyan sa promoter ko kung sino ang susunod na kalaban ko," Pacquiao said. –GMANews.TV