Selection for Manny Pacquiao's next fight is reportedly down to three persons. Amir Khan, Timothy Bradley, and Terence Crawford are all in the running to become the man in the other corner of Pacman's bout next year.
Although a contract is yet to be signed, there are rumors circulating that Bob Arum, Pacman's promoter and Top Rank CEO, has already picked the opponent for Manny Pacquiao's next fight. He wants this particular fighter because he has something in it.
"Arum isn't saying who he personally wants Pacquiao's to fight next, but some boxing fans think that Arum wants/needs Pacquiao tight Crawford in order to increase his value to his Top Rank stable in the same way that Rios' value was increased after his fight against Pacquiao two years ago," Boxing News 24 wrote.
Brandon Rios fought and lost to the former pound-for-pound king in 2013 and since then, he clinched some blockbuster bout including one against Timothy Bradley.
Manny Pacquiao's next fight is set on April 9 and is said to be the last of his colorful career.
Among those who court him, Amir Khan is the one who is making the loudest noise. He even claimed that he already signed a deal to fight Pacman and the papers are now in Arum's camp.
The Top Rank CEO then refute his claim saying everything is still under negotiations.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, insists he has no preference but he is more inclined in having Floyd Mayweather Jr. for a rematch.
"It's possible -- very much," he told CNN World Sport at a charity event in Abu Dhabi. "I would love to have a rematch if he wants it."
He knows Floyd, who defeated him in May of this year, is already retired but insists it is not yet final.
"Of course we hear from him many times that he has retired. It's not new for him," Pacquiao said of Floyd Jr's retirement.
