Even the best may shy away vs Manny

Funny, but for all the inspiring news that top boxers in the world are now willing to take on Manny Pacquiao, the world’s newest boxing sensation may end up with nobody to fight with in his continuing quest for excellence.

Steve Bunce, an analyst of the BBC team which covered Pacquiao’s exploits in San Antonio, Texas Sunday, said the irony of the Filipino fighter’s win in beating the "best" featherweight in the world is that "Pacquiao doesn’t have a title and no belt holder is going to want to put his title on the line against a man who has nothing to offer other than the prospect of a savage beating for his trouble."

Marco Antonio Barrera, uncrowned but universally considered as the best featherweight in the world, realized that mistake only after he was subjected to a severe beating by Pacquiao, who brutally ripped the title of "people’s featherweight champion" from the Mexican idol in 11 brutal and one-sided rounds.

The Filipino champion and his entourage are scheduled to arrive tomorrow evening. He is to be accorded a hero’s welcome on Monday highlighted with a motorcade and a courtesy call on President Arroyo.

Bunce added that there will be some difficult moments ahead in negotiating deals with various networks to put together attractive packages and convincing people that they want to fight Pacquiao.

So who is next on Pacquiao’s card?

He is without doubt the hottest property in the featherweight division, the budding star. Boxing needs a new superhero and Pacquiao fitted to a T. But experts believe he needs a challenge to cement his legacy, with or without Barrera’s cooperation.

He has a big future, and certainly, a matchup with the other man "mentioned as possibly being the best in the division — Juan Manuel Marquez, who, like Pacquiao is young, hungry, and loves to win fights inside the distance," is one of the options.

Two-time world champion Erik Morales, who has moved on up to the 130-lb division, has also signified his intention to go back to the 126-lb class and take on Pacquiao if and only if they were to talk about "something in between."

There are also Michael Brodie or Injin Chi, who both fought to a draw recently for the WBC title, although many believe neither man would give an excellent account of themselves against the man who took a big step up in class, faced off with, and destroyed a living legend in the ring.

But a fight against Marquez would surely be a box office hit with his (Pacquiao’s) performance against Barrera, and perhaps even bigger if Marquez can turn in another performance as impressive as his blowout of Manuel Medina.

Rod Nazario, Pacquiao’s business manager, said a fight with anybody is far from his ward’s mind at this stage.

"I will just let him rest. Talks of his next fight will probably start after the holidays. I want him to enjoy this moment," said Nazario.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao returned to his adoring fans at the Wild Card Boxing Club gym in Los Angeles where noted trainer Freddie Roach polished off his rough edges and imparting boxing smarts to add to his natural gifts. — Dante Navarro