Despite reports from Freddie Roach that training has not been going well until very recently, and that his mind is not properly focused on the fight, the consensus from Manny Pacquiao's recent media day was that he is looking back to his best and ready for his November showdown with Antonio Margarito.
Throughout his training camps, both in Baguio City and now in Los Angeles at the Wild Card gym, there have been mixed and often conflicting reports as to how well the training is going. Even yesterday for example there are reports both that Pacquiao broke the nose of one of his sparring mates and that he was badly stunned by WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan, forcing the sparring to be stopped while he recovered.
So clearly, just how well things are going is not always easy to ascertain. Pacquiao's team are likely in favor of letting disinformation and rumor slip out from time to time, if only to boost the pay per view sales of his upcoming bout. If something were seriously wrong, it seems more likely that his trainers and promoter would be trying to keep it under wraps.
As a result of his supposed lack of focus, it was also widely reported that Pacquiao could be nearing retirement, further fueled by statements from Roach to the BBC in which he stated that boxing would lose the (currently) 7 weight champion to politics in the near future.
In a recent interview with my Examiner colleague Michael Marley though, Pacquiao himself stated plainly that he isn't thinking of retirement right now, which will no doubt come as welcome news to many fans. When asked about the rumors, Pacquiao's exact answer was:
“I'm not thinking of retirement now. I can fight a few more fights.”
The full interview can be found here: Manny Pacquiao reveals: I am praying for Floyd Mayweather Jr.
That being the case, and so long as he gets past Antonio Margarito next month, there are several fighters that Pacquiao could face in the new year.
The most obvious and desirable choice for all concerned is of course Floyd Mayweather, although that particular fight has always had its problems. From disagreements over the drug testing regime to be used to Floyd and uncle Roger's recent and continuing legal troubles it still isn't entirely clear even when and if Floyd will fight again.
Aside from Floyd, several names have been mentioned, but most have some way to go in making their cases for taking on the pound for pound king. Shane Mosley for example is coming from a loss and a lackluster draw in his last two, Andre Berto has been inactive and despite network backing is still not a big name amongst casual fans. Paul Williams is another name mentioned by some, although Bob Arum has voiced his doubts in that case already, and the height difference would likely represent to much of a risk for the comparatively diminutive Pacquiao.
Without any obvious opponent choice, where he goes from here isn't clear at this stage. A third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez or second encounter with Miguel Cotto are also choices, although without big performances from both in the coming months, would perhaps be difficult to justify.
Sean Spencer, Pitt: "Pac's next opponent will be either Floyd or Cotto, and seen as the first one won't happen it will be Cotto because he's Top Rank"
Harry Cross, Liverpool: "Floyd can make just as much money and have an easier fight against Khan, why would he even want to go near Pacquiao after all the problems they had the first two times?"
Source: Examiner.com
