Manny Pacquiao Next Fight: Examining Likelihood of Pac-Man Fights

Jeff Horn completed one of boxing's greatest upsets early on Sunday after stripping Manny Pacquiao of the WBO welterweight title following a controversial unanimous decision win in the Battle of Brisbane.

The former school teacher was named as victor despite Pac-Man hitting his opponent with the more meaningful shots and in greater number, though it was the veteran's mistake to leave the result in the hands of the judges in Australia.

Fox Sports presenter Mark Gottlieb argued differently, however, and insisted the matchup was closer than many gave Horn credit for:

Questions are now afoot as to where Pacquiao goes from here and whether we might even see a potential rematch between the pair, which may be an option should the veteran want a chance at reclaiming his WBO title.

In truth, it's difficult to know where a 38-year-old Pacquiao goes from this point, even with the knowledge he was likely robbed of a result at the Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

Debatable decision or not, the ageing figure has now lost twice in his last four and will look all the more vulnerable to some prospective opponents, who may be all the keener to meet him following Sunday's result.

One of the most obvious potential avenues is to run it straight back against Horn and offer Pacquiao his shot at redemption, after analyst Desmond Howard clearly wasn't at ease with the decision made:

He wasn't the only one, either, as commentator Benjamin Allbright also described his incredulity at seeing Horn emerge as winner:

The potential tilt on the judges' scorecards only fuels the desire to see an immediate rematch in kind, although a second bout isn't likely to take place in Australia.

One couldn't rule out a direct rematch as promoters look to capitalise upon any hype currently surrounding the pair, and Pacquiao may not have too many more chances at clinching silverware before the end of his career.

After knocking out Kell Brook in May, Errol Spence Jr. also recently said his intention was to set up a date opposite either Keith Thurman or Pacquiao, via iFL TV, and the latter may now have the motivation to snap at the chance:

Another option would be to revive interest in a meeting against former light-welterweight champion Amir Khan, who posted in February suggesting he had even agreed a deal to fight Pacquiao, per Sky Sports: "My team and I have agreed terms with Manny Pacquiao and his team for a super fight #pacquiaokhan #April23rd."

Reports in January 2017 said talks were taking place for a meeting between Pacquiao and Kell Brook, per Sky Sports' Richard Damerell, and the former will be more open to any opportunities after Sunday's embarrassment.

James Robson of the Manchester Evening News bemoaned the Briton not fighting Pacquiao this time around, the former world champion having suffered just his seventh career loss:

Pacquiao remains a big-money draw and could therefore satisfy Khan's desire to earn big figures, not to mention the fact he may look like easier prey for a 38-year-old version of Pac-Man.

Depending on where Pacquiao's motivation lies in his older years, we may even see the boxing great return to box in his native Philippines, which Arum has suggested as a potential venue for the fighter, per ESPN.