Pacquiao vs. Algieri Results: Projecting What's Next for Pac-Man After Win
Manny Pacquiao convincingly dismantled Chris Algieri on Sunday in Macau and retained his WBO welterweight title in the process.
It was a masterful display from the Filipino, who knocked his 30-year-old opponent to the canvas six times in the 12-round contest.
The judges indicated just how dominant Pacquiao was and awarded him the fight by unanimous decision, per Bleacher Report:
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After a vintage display from Pac-Man, the obvious question is, where next? Who should he fight now? Read on for a look at possible future opponents for Pacquiao.
Juan Manuel Marquez
Pacquiao and Marquez have fought four times. The Filipino has won twice, the Mexican has won once, and one fight was a draw.
Marquez's victory came in 2012, and his devastating knockout blow put Pacquiao's future in serious jeopardy.
Since that knockout at the MGM Grand, Pacquiao has beaten Brandon Rios and Timothy Bradley, and his victory over Algieri is a sign that he might be returning to his former unstoppable self.
Another fight against Marquez might not be what everyone wants to see, but the 41-year-old Mexican would provide Pac-Man with a genuine challenge and an opportunity to avenge his 2012 loss.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
This is the fight everybody wants to see, but it likely will never happen. The speculation surrounding a potential clash between Mayweather and Pacquiao is agonizing in its futility, but the Filipino was making the right noises Sunday.
"The people deserve that fight," he said in the post-fight news conference. "The fans deserve that fight. It's time to make that fight happen. It's been a long time. I want that fight. They're always denying the fight. I think the fight has to happen."
However, Mayweather has often been the sticking point in the past, and the undefeated American may yet deny boxing fans the opportunity to see the world's most anticipated fight.
While both boxers are past their primes, they are undoubtedly the top two boxing icons of their generation, and it would be a travesty if they were to retire without having fought each other.
As ESPN Stats & Info highlights, they are both still at the summit of the boxing world:
The speculation will continue apace, but there are absolutely no guarantees of the pair finally meeting. All boxing fans can do is hope.
Danny Garcia
A Pacquiao fight with Garcia is certainly a mouth-watering prospect, and the 26-year-old American comes a close second behind Mayweather in attractive opponents for the 35-year-old.
He has proved his credentials with an undefeated 29-0 record, which includes knockouts of Amir Khan and Erik Morales, and he is the current WBC/WBA light welterweight champion.
Pacquiao's coach, Freddie Roach, has talked of his charge stepping down a weight division to fight Garcia, suggesting Mayweather is not the only fitting opponent out there, per Sky Sports.
"If Manny feels good in this fight at 144 then I think his next fight will be at 140 because he makes 140 very easily," Roach said. "First fight back? Danny Garcia. That's my personal opinion. Danny Garcia at 140, we'll go there. There are options out there. Mayweather's not everything."
Clearly, based on his dismantling of Algieri, Pacquiao did feel good at 144 and thus may get down to 140 to face Garcia.
It would likely be a tremendous bout between two top fighters, and it seems like a logical step for Pacquiao to make after Sunday's triumph.
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