Manny Pacquiao's next opponent should be known anytime soon and the choices have been whittled down to Amir Khan, Terence Crawford, and possibly Timothy Bradley Jr.
Before the Timothy Bradley Jr. vs. Brandon Rios fight, it was believed that Pacquiao's possible opponents had been trimmed down to two — Khan and Crawford. But after that impressive showing, there is a chance that Desert Storm could be inserted in the fray.
However, this report from the Manila Times may somehow render all that immaterial.
According to Pacquiao's business manager, Eric Pineda, the Filipino boxer/lawmaker is likely to end up choosing Crawford as his next and final opponent.
Apparently, Crawford is someone new in the mix. Khan is a former sparring mate while Bradley has been into it with Pacquiao twice already. Crawford is someone who just needs to face a big name fighter and a fight against the eight-time division champion could be his ticket to stardom.
Crawford is young and dangerous. He is unbeaten in 27 fights with 19 of them coming off knockouts. Crawford also put on a credible show against Dierry Jean, but it is his track record and mysteriousness that make him a wise pick.
Of course, the final decision lies at the hands of Pacquiao and no one else. And one thing that is for sure, he is not looking to take it easy on April 2016.
Pineda stressed that the Filipino boxer is not like Floyd Mayweather Jr. who handpicks his opponents, apparently referring to Mayweather's farewell fight against a less-heralded Andre Berto.
Pacquiao is expected to name his opponent before 2015 ends for the final fight of his career in April. The Filipino boxer will be making a big jump in Philippine politics as he vies for a senatorial seat in the May 2015 National Elections in the Philippines.
