After the Haye debacle i was praying for a Manny show. I'm not the guy's biggest fan (i prefer Mayweather, sorry Manny fans) but he absolutely delivered on Saturday night. It has to be said that Margarito's style suited him down to the ground but the combinations, power and athleticism of Pacquiao are breathtaking. As much as it pains me to say it, i also have to pay a grudging respect to the bravery of Margarito. He made an amazing fight of it and hurt Pacquiao on a few occasions with massive body shots. He never hid and despite the horrendous beating he took in the last three rounds he refused to quit. He may have restored a bit of pride to his tarnished reputation.
As for Pacquiao, it's hard to say what's next. I don't think it will be Mayweather as he's involved in court cases which could see him jailed for thirty years. The likes of Yuri Foreman, Sergio Martinez and Alfredo Angulo are being mentioned at Junior Middleweight. None of these are big enough names to satisfy Bob Arum's urge to cash in on Manny while he can. Pacquiao himself has said he wants 2 or 3 more fights at most. Andre Berto could be an option at Welterweight. Although having seen his last few fights i wouldn't recommend it. Pacquiao would be too fast and powerful for him. Timothy Bradley is another fighter who could certainly command a shot. He's unbeaten in 26, holds the WBO Junior Welterweight belt but to beat Manny i think you need a knockout punch. 11 KO's in 26 doesn't point to that.
I actually believe that the winner of Marcos Maidana against Amir Khan should be next up for the Pacman. If Khan can beat Maidana then maybe his knockout to Prescott was a one off fluke. Khan has the speed and power and has sparred with Manny. If he can prove his chin is up to the task he may have a chance. Maidana has the power with 27 KO's in 28. Both fighters are beginning to become big names in the States so it could be big business. Either way, we have to hope that with Floyd Mayweather continuing his exile, Manny Pacquiao fights on for a while more.
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