Proklamasyon ni Vi bilang gobernador, naganap sa araw ng birthday ni Nora

If they could have their way, Manny Pacquiao’s loyal fans based from around the world want no less than Juan Manuel Marquez as the Filipino’s next opponent.

An on-line poll being conducted by the mannypacquiao.ph over the last four days has attracted 3,192 respondents as of yesterday, a big majority of which calling out Marquez’ name.

The 33-year-old Mexican is the reigning World Boxing Council super-featherweight champion who has a big score to settle against the 28-year-old Filipino.

Marquez and Pacquiao square off in May of 2004 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas where the Mexican got floored thrice in the opening round but managed to salvage a controversial draw.

A lot of people have cried for a rematch, but the ongoing legal tussle between their promoters, Top Rank for Pacquiao, and Golden Boy for Marquez, continue to stand in the way.

There are four other boxers being lined up for Pacquiao who plans to return to the ring either in September or October. They are Joan Guzman, Edwin Valero, Marco Antonio Barrera and Humberto Soto.

Roughly 64 percent of the voters (2,042 or 3,192) want Pacquiao to face Marquez next, a fight that would finally put the flamboyant Filipino on line for a world title.

Next in line, in the eyes of the Pacquiao fans, is Barrera, the erstwhile champion who was knocked out by the Gen. Santos City native in the 11th round of the November 2003 showdown in San Antonio, Texas.

A total of 414 (13.4 percent) voted for a Barrera rematch, while 351 (11.3 percent) want a fight against Valero, the undefeated Venezuelan who has 22 wins – all by way of knockout.