CEBU, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao is still undecided on his next foe, but his close friend and confidant Rex "Wakee" Salud feels that the eight-division world champion will most likely opt for a rematch with Tim Bradley when he returns to the ring on November 10 in Las Vegas.
"If you would ask me, a return bout with Tim Bradley is the most logical choice because Manny (Pacquiao) can easily beat him. It was very obvious during their fight last June," said Salud. "It's also an opportunity for him to redeem himself."
Pacquiao himself has been very vocal on his desire to slug it out again with Bradley so he can reclaim his WBO welterweight crown.
Pacquiao lost to Bradley last June 10 in a highly questionable split decision considered by ring experts as boxing's biggest robbery in recent memory.
Driven by the clamor of disgruntled fans all over the world, the WBO ordered a re-scoring of the fight.
The five-judge panel commissioned by WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel unanimously scored the bout in favor of Pacquiao. However, the WBO could not overturn the judges' decision.
On the other hand, a fourth fight with Mexican punching dynamo Juan Manuel Marquez is also being considered, with some quarters saying it is more lucrative than a Bradley rematch.
But Salud doesn't give much weight to the idea.
"A fourth showdown with Marquez is a big risk because if ever Pacquiao loses, it will surely derail all the plans for a superbout with Floyd Mayweather," said Salud.
Pacquiao-Marquez is perhaps the most intriguing trilogy in the annals of boxing.
During their first encounter in 2004, Marquez amazingly overcame three knockdowns to forge a split draw with the Filipino ring superstar.
Their paths crossed anew four years later, with Pacquiao eking out a split decision win. Their third meeting last year was again wrapped with controversy that saw the Pacman winning by majority decision.
Marquez insisted he was the real victor and that he was robbed of victory in all those instances.
With no definitive end to their epic rivalry, Marquez remains a potential future foe for the fighting congressman from Sarangani province. - THE FREEMAN