Manny Pacquiao is prepared anytime to do a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, but at the same time, there are other options for him. Mikey Garcia and Danny Garcia are on the list, and so are Shawn Porter and Errol Spence. Next to Mayweather, it is the latter that seems to excite Pacquiao the most.
When asked who will emerge the victor after the Porter-Spence showdown on Saturday, a unification bout for the WBC/IBF welterweight crown, Pacquiao picked Spence. The Filipino boxing legend sees a close and competitive fight but looks at Spence as the better man.
He did not mention if a win will dictate his decision, but according to World Boxing News, Pacquiao appears to favor a Spence win because he sees him as a worthy opponent.
Per the same report, the fighting legislator from the Philippines is willing to stake his WBA for a 12-round face-off with Spence that is described as a "super-fight." It will be a unification bout, and the winner gets to take home three belts
For his part, Spence believes Pacquiao will not regret facing him. He declared that "I am the best fighter in the welterweight division and in boxing."
"Getting past Shawn Porter with the performance that I know I can put on against him, and then getting the fight that I want after that and that's the Manny Pacquiao fight ... This is my time to prove it. Timing is everything. I'm going to get the fights that I need to prove I am the best in the world," the welterweight champ was reported by the Mirror as saying.
Dripping with confidence, Spence claimed his brawl with the Pacman will certainly take place anytime in the second half of 2020. No confirmation though has been provided by representatives from Pacquiao or Spence.
That is why Porter remains optimistic that he'll get his day in the ring with Pacquiao, and his chance will be boosted by a resounding win against Spence. And after that match, Porter eyes a slugfest with the Filipino pride, which when it happens will be a unification bout as well.
"The fights that matter to me are the ones that will make me the best welterweight on the planet, and that starts with Errol Spence in my next fight. After that I'd like to take on Manny Pacquiao," Porter was quoted in a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Truth to be told, any of two fighters and even the Garcias are worthy opponents. It is clear, however, that the one man targeted by Team Pacquiao is the Money. Mayweather and Pacquiao engaging in a tussle anew will be historic and will make the two boxers richer.
It is estimated that up to $250 million will be up for grabs for the two camps to split, enough motivation for them to talk and strike a deal.
On Pacquiao's part, a duel with Mayweather needs to be his last, according to promoter Bob Arum. In fact, Arum has strongly advised that if Pacquiao is unable to secure a deal with the Money, he has to walk away from the ring and for good.
