Manny Pacquiao: Why Pac-Man Shouldn't Rush to Schedule a Fight

I enjoy watching Manny Pacquiao, but I'm not this desperate for a fight. 

What exactly do I mean by that?

Well, the enjoyment part is simple. Pac-Man is arguably one of the best pound-for-pound fighters our generation will ever see. His exquisite power, blinding footwork and heady intelligence make him a must-see fighter, no matter how much you dislike him and no matter how old he may be getting.

Anytime there's a chance to see Pacquiao display his unique skill set, you watch. It's as simple as that.

That's why the news of him planning to fight before the year is over—no matter how many times the actual date gets switched—has me a little choked up with happiness (via ESPN's Dan Rafael):

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The date of Manny Pacquiao's next fight moved for a third time on Tuesday, but the Filipino superstar still plans to fight before the end of the year -- even though the identity of his next opponent has not been determined.

Top Rank, Pacquiao's promoter, formally requested that the Nevada State Athletic Commission reserve Dec. 8 for Pacquiao to fight an opponent to be determined at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, commission executive director Keith Kizer told ESPN.com.

(There are) two other names as the possible opponents for Pacquiao: Bradley (29-0, 12 KOs) in a rematch or a fourth fight with Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KOs) against whom Pacquiao is 2-0-1 in three controversial decisions, including a majority decision win in November.

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Ah, yes, but therein lies the problem. I want to see Pacquiao fight again, I'm just not desperate enough to root for him to pick Timothy Bradley or Juan Manuel Marquez. 

I understand the options are thin and beggars can't be choosers and all that jazz, but why not just wait?

A Bradley vs. Pacquiao rematch, as much as it pains me to say it, would provide enough intrigue and plenty of solid action. But simply out of spite, I don't want to see those two battle it out again. There's too much pain in that history book. 

That leaves Marquez.

As much as I want to see two guys who have sloppily fought it out to three 12-round decisions go at it for a fourth time, and as much as I want to see how much Marquez has left in his 39-year-old tank, I would have to respectfully decline paying to see that one. 

I'm sure there are others that feel differently, who would easily pay to watch the future Hall of Famer go up against either Bradley or Marquez.

But when the situation is anything less than ideal—when the fight is anything less than a superfight—what motivation can Pacquiao, who has plenty of cash money and plenty of other things on his plate, possibly have for entering the ring?

If Floyd Mayweather was realistically available, the tune would change. But he's too busy recovering from jail, counting his millions and betting on college football to fight in three months. And even if he was ready, I'm pretty sure, at this point, Pacquiao is scared of Mayweather and Mayweather is scared of Pacquiao. 

That superfight is not happening. 

Which just leaves two less-than-invigorating options. Options that don't seem worth it for Manny Pacquiao.

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