Manny Pacquiao has come down to earth after reaching the high heavens of success, particularly when it comes to his boxing career. He was once seated on top of the pound-for-pound rankings and was considered as one of the only two real superstars of the sweet science – the other is the man who calls himself Money.
It is still etched on our memories the day that the Filipino boxing hero kissed the canvass and fell face-first after taking a hell of a counter-punch from boxing rival Juan Manuel Marquez. A punch that not only held full power from Marquez’ fists, but also a punch that contained all the grudge he was holding all the years and the wars they have clashed together, all the animosity he felt after not overcoming the hill named Manny Pacquiao – even after a trying to top him repeatedly, resulting to an epic trilogy. Two of those fights, Pacquiao was given the nod over two controversial decisions – results that left a bitter taste in the mouth of not only Marquez, but also of boxing fans who were sitting in discontentment that such a celebrated rivalry would come to a close in such a dull ending.
And thus, the Pacquiao – Marquez IV was made. And Juan Manuel Marquez finally got his wish. Manny Pacquiao lost in dramatic fashion.
But Marquez did not come out of the fight unscathed. He was already beaten to a bloody pulp, his nose was clearly broken, all these for one golden chance to nail a counter punch that would change their often crossing fates. Only this time, Marquez got the better end of the rope, and that one punch caused Pacquiao to come crashing down from the boxing heavens where he used to stay for almost a decade.
And after witnessing a scenario that even Nostradamus failed to foresee, fans are now wishing for a Marquez-Pacquiao V, not just because they want Pacquiao to redeem himself, but also because they want to know what could have happened if Manny did not rush during that final second and avoided getting clocked straight right in by an already battered Marquez.
The proposed fifth fight is now in Marquez’ hands if he’ll accept the fifth fight and throw the bone this time around. The offer is already set on the table, and also on the table is the staggering $20M, the biggest paycheck of his whole boxing career straight into his purse once he accepts the fight. And we’re wishing he will because we’re also one of the millions asking many what ifs.
So, what if Marquez declines to do the fifth? What will happen now to Pacquiao? Should he finally call it quits and hang his gloves up for retirement and fully focus on his legislative duties as the representative of his province? Or convince himself that he’s really cut for entertainment TV?
We believe that even if Marquez refuses to be his dancing partner for the fifth bout, Manny should choose another high-profile fighter that can help him convince the boxing world that he has still has enough gas left in his tank to do 3-4 fights in his already stellar boxing career, and he still has the ability and power to climb the rankings and be the king of the boxing hill again.
And who are the fighters not named Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather Jr. that can easily be the redemption case for Manny Pacquiao and help him get back to the boxing heavens? Here are our picks for Manny’s other possible dancing partners:
Brandon Rios
Brandon “Bam-Bam” Rios (31-0-1, 23 KO) has just won a brutal seven-rounded war against slugger Mike Alvarado and solidified himself as one of the rising boxing stars. Bam-Bam also stated his interest in getting in the ring with the Filipino boxing icon saying that he’s still aware that Pacquiao is still one of the top dogs in the sport, and he wants to show the world what he can do with the top dogs.
Brandon Rios – Mike Alvarado fight highlights
If ever it materializes, it will be an interesting and dangerous fight for Pacquiao. Bam-Bam is known as a sturdy pressure puncher. He’ll come at you wanting to hit, and not caring to get hit. He’ll accept a number of your punches with a promise that he’ll also give you some of his own. If Manny could channel the fighter that he was when he fought Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito, he could easily punch his way around with Rios with his creative footwork and angled punches. He should also showcase his patented flurry of punches which he rarely did during his recent bouts.
The problem that Manny should solve on the other hand is how to stop Rios from pressuring him on the ropes. Rios won’t throw jabs to get the fight’s tempo, but he’ll sure advance on you and hit you from all directions. He’ll be looking first to take your air out by his commanding body blows and target your head en route to a knock out.
If ever Manny gets past Rios, there’s no way Marquez can say no to a rematch, and Mayweather will be on the lookout too.
Adrien Broner
Adrien “The Problem” Broner (26-0-22 KO) is the current WBC Lightweight champion of the world. He is often compared to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in terms of his speed and fighting style – and also his trash talking towards opponents.
Adrian Broner Highlights
If ever Broner steps ups to the plate for a Pacquiao fight, he will have to move up in the welterweight division where Manny Pacquiao dominated. It’ll be an interesting fight to see because we can get a glimpse on how the dream fight between Pacquiao and
Mayweather will look like with Broner’s skills set. It’ll be attractive how Manny can
win against a younger opponent who has also the speed, power, and defensive wizardry that’ll pose as a big puzzle for Pacman.
Tim Bradley
The Desert Fox has upset a lot boxing fans when he “won” against Manny via a
controversial decision that left a lot of disgust to the boxing world believing that the latter should have won the fight in a big margin and was clearly robbed when the nod was given to the talented but less-popular American fighter.
Manny Pacquiao vs Timothy Bradley
Bradley also was left out when Manny chose a fourth-fight with Marquez rather than claim the WBO Welterweight crown that Bradley nabbed during their fight.
Bradley is set to fight in an HBO-televised showdown against Ruslan Provodnikov this
Sunday to defend his WBO belt. And if ever he triumphs over the Russian pug, Bob
Arum can put the gears in motion for another dibs at Manny Pacquiao.
