09.05.05 – By Wayne Joseph Tulio: After a hard fought loss to Erik Morales, Manny Pacquiao stated that he is comfortable fighting at 130 pounds and intends to stay in the division. Considered the ‘people’s champion’ at featherweight and recognized by the Ring Magazine, the challenge now for Pacquiao is to prove that he can be force in the junior lightweight division and to erase any doubt that moving up in weight was a bad career decision. After the loss to Morales, we have only heard of news regarding Pacquiao’s legal battles with his management group and thus no names have been brought up as to who he will fight next.
If you take a look at the current ratings of the four major organisations and the current changes, some interesting match ups await Pac Man in the deep junior lightweight division here are 5 possible match ups for Pacquiao.
Match up 1: An immediate rematch with Erik Morales
After the recent loss, Pacquiao has been asking Erik Morales for a re-match. Morales boxed masterfully against Pacquiao and although there were moments in their fight where he looked to have been vulnerable, his chin took Pacquiao’s biggest blows as he stuck to his game plan and got the nod of the judges.
If a rematch does happen, Pacquiao has to really dig deep in order to beat Morales whose style was one that he struggled against. Pacquaio needs to throw and land more combinations in order to frustrate Morales. Otherwise, Morales will again outbox the Philippine sensation.
Match up 2: A rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera
After successfully beating Paulie Ayala, Erik Morales and Mzonke Fana after losing to Pacquiao in November of 2003, Marco Antonio Barrera has proven that he is not yet over the hill. Barrera moved up in weight to successfully beat Morales in their third match and in that match, Barrera showed that he can still trade with the best boxers out there. However, if the first fight against Pacquiao is an indication, Barrera will have a hard time in a rematch.
After winning against Ayala and Morales, Barrera’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya has stated that the Barrera had an off night against Pacquiao and that the real Marco Antonio Barrera is the one we are seeing as of late. Barrera also had problems with his training camp prior to fighting Pacquiao. A rematch is highly likely as Pacquiao is ranked by the WBC and for Barrera, it would be a chance to prove once and for all that he had an off night the first time around.
Match up 3: IBF Champion Robbie “The Bomber” Peden
After winning the title against American Nate Campbell, The US Based Australian gamely said that he is willing to take on anybody to defend his title. Having been ducked in the past, a fight with Pacquiao and a possible win is just what Peden needs to get public recognition. In his two fights with Campbell, Peden showed exactly why he steadily rose through the ranks. He is a hard worker who punches steadily much like Pacquiao.
The Bomber also has the power to knock his opponents out but has proven that he can box if necessary to wear down an opponent. Pacquiao however also packs power in his punches and has proven himself against fighters who can box and that he can frustrate them into trading with him. Pacquiao is like no other fighter Peden has fought.
The financial gain of this fight for Peden would be huge, but since Pacquiao is a new comer to the division the risk of losing the title in his first defence might make Peden’s camp think twice. However if this materialises it’s a rather interesting match up.
Match up 4: WBO Junior Lightweight Champion Jorge Barrios
Although Barrios stated in an interview that he wants to fight Barrera, a fight against Pacquiao can help cement his status as a ring warrior. Barrios will be remembered for his fight against Acelino Freitas. Although he lost the fight in the later rounds, Barrios gave fans a glimpse of just how tough he is managing to drop the Brazilian twice before losing. Barrios is game like Pacquiao to slug and is not afraid to put everything on the line. This fight has the makings of a classic if it materialises.
As to who will go out on top, both fighters have proven they have punching power. Pacquiao has proven after his recent fight that he has a tough chin and can take punches and can last the distance based on three of his last four fights. Barrios too is a warrior who nonetheless can trade even with Pacquiao and his recent showing against Mike Anchondo showed a more mature fighter than the one who fought Freitas. If this match does happen, it would be an all out war between two warriors who both have unquestionable hearts.
Match Up 5: Yodsanan 3K Battery Former WBA Champion
3K Battery even in his loss against Vicente Mosquera has shown that he is willing to trade, something fight fans like watching. The Thai’s 36 KO’s in 44 wins is a testament to the power 3K Battery packs in his fists. The Thai however has decent boxing skills, something he showed when he won the WBA title against Steve Forbes.
Against Pacquiao, 3K Battery might have to work hard because of the age factor. Pacquiao is 26 while 3K Battery is already 34. However the excitement that can come from this possible match up is endless as both fighters are game to trade with whoever they are fighting.
The only drawback from this match up happening is the fact that the Thai has only fought twice outside of Asia and HBO might not take this fight. 3K Battery is a natural Junior Lightweight and this could spell the difference for Pac Man who has only fought once in the division. Experience against better fighters though gives a slight advantage to PacMan in this bout.