Manny Pacquiao: Will Golden Boy Stop the Juan Manuel Marquez Fight?

Manny Pacquiao needs an opponent to fight in the fall should he defeat Shane Mosley on May 7.

Juan Manuel Marquez has emerged as the next most logical choice after the unavailability of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. To put this into reality, Marquez began to pull a Mosley and distance himself from boxing promoter, Golden Boy Promotions.

Mosley, who was promoted by Golden Boy previous to his upcoming match with Pacquiao, noticed that Pacquiao's promoter Top Rank didn't get along with Golden Boy. He also noticed a fight with Pacquiao is the biggest paycheck available in the sport of boxing.

With those two things noticed, Mosley left Golden Boy to become a free agent. Marquez, despite desiring to do the same, may not be so lucky.

Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, has stated that Marquez is under contract until Feb. 24, 2012.

Schaefer also stated that Marquez was under more contractual ties than Mosley, making a November 2011 fight with Pacquiao extremely difficult to create.

Pacquiao fought twice in 2009 and twice in 2010. Both years, one fight occurred in the spring/summer time and the other in November. It's safe to say this trend will repeat with or without Marquez or Mayweather.

The only question left to ponder if who's left if not Marquez or Mayweather? Marquez and Pacquiao have a storied history that dates back to a close fight in 2004 that ended in a draw and a close fight in 2008 that ended in a split decision victory for Pacquiao.

Mayweather was considered the pound-for-pound best until he retired. Pacquiao took the crown with authority while Mayweather was gone. When Mayweather returned, Pacquiao was naturally the most requested opponent for him to fight. The two sides have failed and possibly won't ever come to an agreement.

If undefeated welterweight king Andre Berto (27-0, 21 KOs) gets past Victor Ortiz (28-2-2 22, KOs) April 16, he may find himself the best candidate to face Pacquiao in the fall.

Timothy Bradley (27-0, 11 KOs), should he get past Amir Khan (25-1 17, KOs) in July, may find himself signed in a fight with Pacquiao in the fall.

The options are limited but Bleacher Report readers, what do you think? Feel free to comment below on how you think the Marquez-Pacquiao situation will turn out and who you think deserves a shot a Pacquiao if Marquez can't resolve his contractual issues in time.