Boxing's only eight-division world champion, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KO's) recently announced that he will be retiring after his final fight scheduled sometime next year, to focus on his political career in the Philippines. A handful of names are being floated around as to who his last opponent will be, but there are a few on the shortlist.
Following his victory over Dierry Jean last weekend, undefeated junior welterweight champ Terence "Bud" Crawford called out Pacquiao and has expressed his interest in sending the Filipino ring icon into retirement.
Pacquiao's long time nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez, whom Pacquiao has fought four times, has considered the possibility of a fifth fight but is hesitant. While the retired Floyd Mayweather is also in the mix, with rumors of a rematch being negotiated behind closed doors.
All three matchups will be compelling for sure, with the 36 year old Pacquiao still sharp and effective even in the twilight of his career.
"I don't know yet who's my opponent next but we're still negotiating right now about the rematch with Floyd Mayweather so hoping for that," Pacquiao said in a live chat.
For the most part, Mayweather has denied claims by Pacquiao that a second fight is being negotiated.
"It's totally false. I'm not fighting anymore," said Mayweather, in a text message to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.
Marquez on the other hand has made his sentiments clear, that he's weary of a fifth fight with Pacquiao citing unfair judging, worried about getting robbed on the scorecards. Despite being the only fighter to decisively defeat Pacquiao in recent years, by knockout no less, it is evident that Marquez is on the fence on whether to fight Pacquiao again.
That leaves Terence Crawford being the only willing participant. The 28-year old from Omaha, Nebraska is considered one of the most talented young fighters today. He is being hailed as the future of boxing, after Mayweather and Pacquiao both call it quits.
If Crawford can catch Pacquiao before he hangs up the gloves for good, it will do wonders for his career.
At 27 wins and no losses, with 19 of those wins coming by knockout, Crawford is an exciting young fighter with solid power. He's stopped three of his last four opponents, including stopping the last two with relative ease.
His finest victory is that of knocking out former undefeated Cuban star, Yuriorkis Gamboa.
Crawford, who represents the new generation of boxing stars, would do well to challenge Pacquiao, win or lose. He would be put into a situation that can only be beneficial to him.
Crawford would gain invaluable experience from a fight with Pacquiao, regardless of the outcome.
Pacquiao is currently rehabbing a right rotator cuff injury he suffered while training for Mayweather earlier this year, aggravated during the actual fight. Pacquiao says the shoulder is fully healed, although the road to using the shoulder effectively again is a long and arduous one.
Mayweather recently defeated Andre Berto a few months ago in what he claims is his final fight. Pundits and fans alike lambasted his decision to face such a low-risk opponent in his last bout. If Pacquiao ends up facing Crawford, Marquez or Mayweather, it will certainly be more of a challenge than when Mayweather chose Berto.
Nonetheless, it is still quite early to tell which way the Filipino will go. As 2015 draws to a close, expect news of a Pacquiao opponent in early 2016 as he approaches the last stanza of his long and glorious stint in the sweet science.