Manny Pacquiao has opted to hold off the announcement of his next opponent, pushing plans to do so in early 2016.
Word about the planned push on the official announcement was revealed no less by legendary trainer Freddie Roach, who added that Pacquiao has no preference on whom among the shortlisted three candidates to face.
The three names in the list are Amir Khan, Terence Crawford, and Timothy Bradley Jr. But if Roach is to be asked, it seems that he is eager to see how the new Bradley fares against the Filipino boxer. If this materializes, it would be the third installment of the rubber match, with the two fighters tied a 1-1.
Bradley won over Pacquiao in 2012 in controversial fashion while Pacquiao returned with a flurry in 2014. What makes the fight interesting is Teddy Atlas, the new trainer of Desert Storm. Apparently, Roach is curious on the character that Atlas brings and such could account for more attention.
However, Crawford is looming as a good opponent as well. He is a relatively new name in the mix and someone who carries something different but dangerous. He has yet to go up against a big name fighter and Pacquiao could be his ticket to the top.
Khan, on the other hand, has been long in the waiting. Both camps have already talked early this year and the last thing that the Briton wants is another shunning.
He was already shunned by Floyd Mayweather Jr. last September so another one could be pretty disappointing for the former sparring mate of Pacquiao.
On the radar as well is how Pacquiao has recovered from his shoulder injury. Even though he has announced that this would be his last fight, Roach is not closing the doors and is even hinting that a rematch between Pacquiao and Mayweather could still happen.
