Pacmania is on a roll, but after a pretty much “pac-less” showing in his highly anticipated rematch against Marco Antonio Barrera (pac-less, meaning no knockdowns or knockouts), everybody around 130 and 135 thinks they may just have a chance to stop Manny’s rampage. Who are the headliners itching to bag the hefty Pac payday?

Juan Manuel Marquez
Current WBC Super Featherweight Champion
Marquez may be the most logical foe for Pacquiao’s next fight, due to unfinished business after both warriors fought to a controversial draw a few years back. This time, both fighters need to state their claim on who is the rightful winner by taking on each other inside the squared circle for the second time.

• My take: Marquez will be a difficult fight for Pacquiao considering Marquez’s accurate counter punching skills but Pacquiao, no longer the one-handed one-dimensional fighter Marquez fought to a draw in the past will look to take the fight to Marquez.

Joan Guzman
Current WBO Super Featherweight Champion
Think about being a belted champion who unfairly does not get a champion’s recognition. Guzman desperately made himself present at the Pacquiao-Barrera II post fight presscon to verbally voice out a challenge to the Pacman.

• My take: After watching the first round of Guzman vs. Barrios, I thought I was watching the man to beat Pacquiao. I was wrong though as the fire Guzman set ablaze in the first gradually deteriorated to the 12th.

Edwin Valero
WBA Super Featherweight Champion
Valero may just be the man with heavier hands than Manny Pacquiao at 130 having knocked out every opponent he has faced, where about 90% of them he obliterated in just one round! Critics downplay his accomplishments though as not having faced class A opponents. Valero even got knocked down by former WBA champion Vicente Mosquera. Boxing fanatics say he lacks movement which, in effect, makes him a very hittable target considering Pacquiao’s handspeed.

• My take: vs. Pacquiao, He who lands hard accurately on the perfect spot wins the fight. Knocking out opponents consecutively, most especially in a single round is no fluke.

Humberto Soto
Revenge could be the motivation for Pacquiao to get lured into this fight since Soto was the man who brutally walloped Manny’s younger Bobby at New York last year. After finishing Bobby, Soto definitely knew the next opponent he wanted- Manny Pacquiao.

• My take: Bobby, not a heralded KO artist, was capable of rocking Soto in the middle rounds of their fight. Manny, a far-better fighter, can surely take out Soto in 5.

Rocky Juarez
After getting beaten by Barrera twice, Rocky is still in the elite 130-lb circle. In fact, he is in the running for the WBC title when he clashes against champion Juan Manuel Marquez and can still be a dangerous opponent for Manny.

• My take: Barrera showed TWICE that he can box his way to victory against Juarez. Manny boxed Barrera beautifully in his most recent fight showing that he is not just a slugger but a boxer as well. Manny can do both. Slug and box. Either way, Manny’s speed and difference will spell the difference.

Juan Diaz
WBA, WBO, IBF Lightweight Champion
Perhaps the most dangerous opponent for Manny Pacquiao is the young, move-forward, volume puncher, Juan Diaz who has begun racking up all the belts at 135 lbs. After beating up Freitas and Julio Diaz into submission, instead of calling out other lightweight champ David Diaz for the undisputed title, Juan wants Pacquiao- his dream fight.

• My take: The weight difference will be a significant factor. Juan began his career at welterweight and slimmed down to lightweight, while Manny began his career at flyweight working his way up to super featherweight. It is an interesting fight where I see Manny and his boxing status put on the line.

David Diaz
WBC Lightweight Champion
After a close victory over Erik Morales, David Diaz wants a piece of Pacquiao, especially after Manny mentioned about plans moving up to lightweight. Without a doubt, Manny IS money, and Top Rank Promotions want this fight to happen.

• My take: Manny Pacquiao wins this one. David is very hittable and does not drain out unlike Morales who led the scores but deteriorated from the middle rounds onward.