May 2, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao box during their world welterweight championship bout at MGM Grand Garden Arena. (Photo : USA TODAY Sports )
MANILA, Philippines -- Boxing's only eight division world champion and Filipino ring icon, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao is not exactly sitting pretty in his extended stay away from the boxing ring. Following a highly disappointing loss to rival Floyd "Money" Mayweather last May, the fire still burns inside and Pacquiao still wants to keep fighting according to his trainer Freddie Roach.
As expected from a fighter of Pacquiao's caliber, the lightning quick southpaw isn't returning to the ring just to fight some patsy. He's looking for a top tier opponent to tango with in 2016.
"He's still having a lot of fun with it, he loves the sport," Roach told USA Today. "I think he's got a couple of fights left in him."
Among a short list of possible next opponents for Pacquiao are IBF welterweight beltholder Kell Brook, hard-hitting machine Lucas Matthysse of Argentina, and rising star Terence "Bud" Crawford -- all of which pose new challenges for the Filipino as he enters the twilight of his career.
Pacquiao is currently on hiatus, recovering from a right rotator cuff injury he suffered in the lead up to the Mayweather bout which he blamed for his lackluster performance.
Although Pacquiao will gladly accept a Mayweather rematch, it would be a challenge to put that fight together and convince fans who were completely disenchanted with their first encounter to spend their hard-earned cash on a second meeting.
"The thing is, is a rematch [with Floyd Mayweather] possible? I'm not sure," said Roach, agreeing with the notion.
If Pacquiao can return from injury and prove that it is a non-issue moving forward, he'll have a few more blockbuster fights left in his tank before he calls it quits. Pacquiao is the type of fighter who relies heavily on his athleticism and total physicality.
If the body is no longer willing, he could be putting himself in danger of getting seriously hurt fighting way past his prime. Not knowing when to hang up the gloves for good is commonplace amongst ageing boxers.
Pacquiao will have to choose his next opponent wisely if he wants to further his career in the best way possible. A bout against Matthysse, who is known for his come forward style, would likely be the best option and would probably produce the most fireworks.
Matthysse has the ability to hurt Pacquiao and potentially stop him, which would make things interesting and would be an easy sell to fight-loving fans.
As for a second Mayweather bout, for now, it seems unlikely.
If Pacquiao can string together a couple of solid victories in 2016, and if Mayweather is still willing to climb back into the ring with him, maybe then.
But would you like to see that fight again?
