Two Mega Fights For Manny Pacquiao In 2011

10:19 PM // 0 comments // Ian Purugganan // Category: Pacquiao //

The biggest fight of the year between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito is yet to start, but two fights for next year are already in the works for Manny. The big question is WHO?

It could be against Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Andre Berto, Timothy Bradley or Devon Alexander, and the first fight will happen in May.

But the Top Rank chief, after sitting down with Pacquiao’s handlers, Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza, said none of the future fights for the Filipino champion will go beyond 147 lb.

Pacquiao is scheduled to face Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13 in Arlington, Texas, and while it’s for the vacant WBC super-welterweight (154 lb) crown, it has a catchweight of 151.

“They (Roach and Ariza) talked to me about this,” Michael Marley, quoting Arum, wrote in the Examiner.com yesterday.

“But, like Freddie and Alex told me, from here on out Manny will stick to the welterweight division. They feel 147 pounds is the realistic limit for him and I can’t disagree. They know the fighter inside out.”

After all, Pacquiao is the reigning WBO welterweight champion.

Arum is aware that Margarito may climb the ring as heavy as 165 lb, and that Pacquiao, according to his trainer and strength and conditioning coach, won’t go heavier than 150.

“But they stressed they don’t want Manny stretching it like this after this fight,” Arum told Marley.

“It’s just too much size difference fighting these bigger guys. Antonio Margarito has a contractual weight limit of 150 pounds but he is likely to add 15 pounds with the day before the fight weigh in and then weigh 165 when they get into the ring at Cowboys Stadium.”

Arum then dropped the names of possible opponents for Pacquiao next year.

“With or without Mayweather, Manny will fight twice in the new year. We’re looking at a May bout with or without Mayweather. Who knows how his legal problems will play out so we don’t count on Floyd,” said Arum.

“As for Mayweather, I don’t think it’s a matter of him being interested, it could be whether he is available,” said Arum of Mayweather, facing criminal and assault charges from his former partner, Josie Harris.

Mayweather Jr., who came close to fighting Pacquiao twice, will appear before the court on Nov. 9 or four days before Pacquiao locks horns with Margarito.

Pacquiao is in the last four weeks of training.

He was scheduled to leave Baguio yesterday to resume his training in Manila until he flies to Los Angeles tomorrow.

Arum said Pacquiao will never run out of opponents.

“Shane Mosley is a possibility. So is the winner of the Devon Alexander-Timothy Bradley fight which is on Jan. 29. You can put Andre Berto’s name in there as well and Juan Manuel Marquez because of his history with Manny.”

And Cotto?

“Don’t forget Cotto because he is flexible. Miguel can go to 147 pounds,” Arum was quoted as saying.

[Boxing News Source: philstar.com]