Manny Pacquiao: Breaking Down Who Pac-Man Should Fight Next

Manny Pacquiao has plenty of options. 

With Pac-Man's camp ready to schedule a fight for December 8, there are three likely—OK, two likely and one hopeful—competitors who will be facing him on the other side of the ring.

Juan Manuel Marquez, Timothy Bradley or Floyd Mayweather. 

That much we know. What we don't know, however, is what direction Pacquiao is leaning. Let's take a look at each option. 

Timothy Bradley

This has to be the worst option for Pac-Man. 

He already beat Bradley in the eyes of 998 out of 1,000 people. The other two just happened to be sitting at the judge's table. 

Despite the "loss," Pac-Man has nothing to prove against Desert Storm. If he beats Bradley again, great. Everyone already knew he was the better fighter. But if he loses, his downfall begins and we can all say goodbye to whatever chance of a superfight with Floyd Mayweather existed. 

Juan Manuel Marquez

A fight with Marquez would provide a slightly bigger purse for Pacquiao, which should provide enough convincing power, but Dinamita has certainly given Pacquiao plenty of problems in the past. 

The 39-year-old has yet to beat Pacquiao, but he fought for a draw in 2004 and has fought Pacquiao close in his other two losses. 

Does Pac-Man really want to go up against such a pesky opponent in a fight that hardly anyone wants to see for a fourth time? Maybe, but only if nothing better is out there. 

Floyd Mayweather

This is the fight that would be better.

The odds of this megafight ever coming to fruition are scary low, but if Pacquiao could find a way to come to an agreement with Mayweather, it would, without a doubt, be the best possible option for everyone involved.

Not only would Pacquiao be able to make a purse that is about twice as much as whatever he would make with Marquez, but he would get to prove to the world he is still the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Throw in the fact that a rematch clause would likely be included, and Pacquiao would be set to potentially make four times as much as he would in a fight with Marquez. 

Oh yeah, and this fight would make everyone really, really happy. And would probably save boxing. Boo-ya. 

It's just a shame that it will never happen. I guess Pacquiao's options aren't all that great, after all. 

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