Pacquiao’s next foe could be younger brother’s tormentor

Looks like Manny Pacquiao will finally get the chance to avenge his brother’s painful loss to Humberto Soto last year.

That possibility cropped up yesterday after Bob Arum told Viva Sports that the Filipino megastar might instead take on Soto, the world-class boxer from Mexico on Nov. 15 in Las Vegas.

Arum said the Pacquiao-Soto showdown came to fore as Edwin Valero, originally being lined up as Pacquiao’s next opponent, continues to seek clearance to fight in Vegas.

The Soto fight, if it happens, will take place at Planet Hollywood.

“A lot of people feel we are better off to go to a Soto fight and if Valero gets cleared put him on the undercard,” Arum, who also handles Soto, 28, was quoted as saying.

Soto, an orthodox who also carries a knockout punch, knocked out the younger Pacquiao, Bobby, cold in the seventh round last year at the Madison Square Garden.

On that night of June 9 in New York, Soto became an instant contender to Pacquiao who grieved his brother’s loss so much he looked on the verge of tears at ringside.

After his younger brother was counted out on the ring, Pacquiao was focused on the giant screen of MSG, covering his face with his hands then tilting his head back.

Soto said right after the fight that if Pacquiao wants to avenge his brother’s loss, sealed with a powerful right straight to the face and a left hook to the body, he can have it.

This could be the time for revenge.

Pacquiao, who demolished David Diaz in Las Vegas last June 28, said he’s ready for anyone who wants to take his WBC lightweight title away from him.

“Anybody as long as it’s at 135 pounds,” he said, and the names of Ricky Hatton, Nate Campbell, Joel Casamayor, Juan Manuel Marquez, Valero and Sotto cropped up.

Days ago, it looked like a deal had been reached between Arum and Valero’s Japanese manager Akihiko Honda for a fight with Pacquiao either on Nov. 8 or 15.

But Valero’s failure to secure a license to fight in Nevada has stood in the way since he failed a medical in 2004 due to a blood clot on his brain after a motorcycle accident.

Valero has been granted a license to fight in Texas, but Arum wants Vegas for Pacquiao’s next fight.

Pacquiao is scheduled to fly to the US later this month and a meeting with Arum could provide a clearer picture as to the “who, where and when” of his next fight.

The merry-go-round continues until the fight contract is signed.