Top Rank CEO Bob Arum looks to have his prized fighter Manny Pacquiao back in the ring early next year and already has named three possible opponents for the former eight-division champion when he returns to action.
Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38KOs) is recovering well from shoulder surgery following his bout against pound-for-pound rival Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The Filipino slugger and his camp definitely want a rematch against Mayweather but remains far from happening following events after their bout.
Some are also calling for Pacquiao to retire after a long illustrious career, but trainer Freddie Roach believes he can still compete. "He's still having a lot of fun with it, he loves the sport, I think he's got a couple of fights left in him," Roach, 55, told USA Today.
The trainer is also uncertain of a Mayweather rematch but wants a tough opponent for Pacquiao's next fight.
Arum mentioned top boxers Kell Brook, Terrence Crawford and Lucas Matthyse as possible foes for Pacquiao once he returns. Brook is also undefeated at 35-0 (24 KOs) and Pacquiao can challenge another unbeaten record after failing against Mayweather. The British boxer will again compete this September against Brandon Rios, whom Pacquiao defeated by unanimous decision in 2013.
Crawford is also unbeaten at 26-0 (18 KOs). Matthyse, who holds a 37-3-0-1NC (34KOs) record and will take on Viktor Postol for the WBC junior welterweight championship, is also being considered.
Mayweather was open to the possibility of a rematch with Pacquiao following their highly-anticipated bout but changed his mind after the Filipino's camp said their boxer had a hard time fighting because of a shoulder injury.
According to Pacquiao and his camp, the injury was sustained during training camp and was aggravated in the fight, which hindered his movements.
Mayweather recently posted a video of him punching a dummy, which he addressed as "Manny," then posted it on his Instagram account. In the video, Mayweather says: "So Manny, you out here telling people that I didn't win fair and square, that this little arm is messed up. Is that right? Talk to me." The US boxing champion then slaps the dummy, then tells it to "stop lying" twice.
The boxer meant it as a joke, but Pacquiao did not think it was funny. "We should understand Floyd Mayweather because of his family background," Pacquiao said, in reference to his opponent's record as an ex-convict.
