Pacquiao's Potential Opponents

Manny Pacquiao humiliated Shane Mosley last Saturday night. The only question that remains was: In which fight was Mosley more humiliated, against Mayweather or against Pacquiao? Who knows, but both fights should tarnish his otherwise stellar career.

People are getting tired of one-sided fights featuring Pacquiao. The Ring has a list of possible opponents for Pacquiao to fight in November. it includes the likes of Victor Ortiz, Timothy Bradley, Zab Judah, and Juan Manuel Marquez. Except for the latter (with conditions) they all would be the same one-sided garbage that we've seen from Pacquiao recently.

Here's a list of opponents that, at least on paper, would be competitive.

Of course, Floyd Mayweather.

Sergio Martinez at 154 pounds. Pacquiao fans understandably would prefer this fight to be at a lower catchweight, but the likelihood of this fight happening even at 154 is slim. Martinez, the middleweight champ, last fought at 154 in 2008. He hasn't fought below 154 in over five years. If this fight were to take place at 154, I think Martinez would win by knockout in the middle rounds.

Paul Williams at 147 after a tune-up fight or two. The 6'2" southpaw hasn't fought since being brutally knocked out by Martinez last November. He has always claimed that he can make 147 and, as an enormously tall welterweight, a southpaw, and a guy who throws a hundred punches a round, he poses a unique threat to Pacquiao. It would be interesting to see Pacquaio face a guy about 9 inches taller. I think Pacquiao would win a unanimous decision in the neighborhood of 8-4.

Juan Manuel Marquez at a weight lower than 140. Marquez looked terrible when he weighed 142 against Mayweather. That was the only time Marquez fought above 135. Even at 140, Pacquiao would likely wipe the floor with Marquez. However, if the fight was even a few pounds lighter, at a catchweight in the high 130s, I'd give Marquez a better shot. Still, at this point, I think Pacquiao will win a unanimous decision, the higher the weight, the wider the margin.