Now, it's Cotto knocking on Pacman door

MANILA, Philippines - Big and small, they all want Manny Pacquiao.

Miguel Cotto, the new WBO welterweight champion, called on Pacquiao’s name after he disposed of Britain’s Michael Jennings at the Madison Square Garden in New York last Sunday.

It was Cotto’s first fight in eight months since losing to Antonio Margarito, and the 28-year-old Puerto Rican wasted no time, needing only five rounds to announce his return as a champion.

Pacquiao faces Ricky Hatton in May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for the British superstar’s IBO light-welterweight crown. Cotto said a fight with the winner should be a good fight.

“The winner of the Hatton-Pacquiao fight, if they want to fight me, I’m here,” said Cotto, who took his first career loss against Margarito, who in turn, lost to Shane Mosley a few weeks back.

“I’m open to anything. We want to face the best fighters available and it’s just a question of deciding who we’re going to fight next.”

Cotto is not the only one who wants Pacquiao.

There are Mosley, just as fast and furious, Nate Campbell, Timothy Bradley, Juan Manuel Marquez, Zab Judah, Humberto Soto, Margarito and Venezuelan knockout artist Edwin Valero.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if middleweight Kelly Pavlik, light-heavyweight Bernard Hopkins or heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko call on Pacquiao, too, as well as little guy Vic Darchinyan.

“Pacquiao is the biggest draw in boxing today. So, they all want Pacquiao. It’s understandable. Everybody wants him – not only the boxers but even the promoters,” said Cebu matchmaker Wakee Salud.

Valero, now Pacquiao’s stablemate at Top Rank, is being described as an “urban legend” having knocked out all his 24 opponents, 18 of them going down and out in the first round.

He wants Pacquiao.

“Sincerely I would like to fight him and I hope he doesn’t retire anytime soon and gives me the opportunity to show that I have what it takes to be a great fighter. A lot of people doubt my talent and say I haven’t fought anybody or I don’t have any experience.

“The people of the Philippines want to see the fight. I was in the Philippines for Manny’s birthday in December  and all the fans asked when I’m going to fight him. Now that we’re in the same company I hope it happens one day,” he told boxingscene.com.