Pacman, foes do their ‘homework’

Manny Pacquiao is in no hurry choosing his next opponent, saying the decision might come in December when he’s done with his studies and a new movie he’s about to make.

Pacquiao said he’s enjoying himself in his hometown Gen. Santos City, two weeks after he forced Marco Antonio Barrera to hang up his gloves following a big win in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao answered the bell for his first day of class last Wednesday at the Notre Dame of Gen. Santos City where he is pursuing a course in business management.

“It feels good but I was nervous on my first day. It’s different from boxing because when I climb the ring, I’m the boss. Here in school, the professor is the boss,” he reported yesterday.

Classes begin at 8 a.m. and last until 5 p.m. This goes on until November when Pacquiao takes a break to start filming a new movie, and launch his own reality show on TV.

Pacquiao plans to make his next move by December, probably after his 29th birthday on the 17th, and the Christmas holidays.

“It (next fight) only becomes final when I sign the contract,” he added.

Eight boxers from two different weight divisions are lining up for a shot at Pacquiao, a million dollar purse by March and probably the first big fight of 2008.

From the super-featherweight class (130 lbs) are WBC champion Juan Manuel Marquez and his Nov. 3 challenger Rocky Juarez, WBA king Edwin Valero, WBO titlist Joan Guzman and rising star Humberto Soto.

And from the lightweight class (135 lbs), calling out Pacquiao’s name are WBC champion David Diaz, WBO-WBA-IBF defender Juan Diaz and Ring champion Joel Casamayor.

While Marquez battles Juarez in two weeks, Guzman is all set to climb the ring against Soto on Nov. 17, and Valero will defend his title, and his reputation as an early-knockout artist against Juan Carlos Salgado on Dec. 15.

David Diaz has nothing up yet since beating Erik Morales last August while Juan Diaz just recently won over Julio Diaz. Casamayor fights Jose Armando Sta. Cruz, a Pacquiao sparring mate, on Nov. 10.

These fights could help Pacquiao choose his next opponent. But as the candidates slug it out, the Filipino superstar is just doing his homework, preparing for his next day in school.