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Magazine

Top five next opponents for Manny Pacquiao

We look at some of the options for Manny Pacquiao

George Gigney

7th November, 2016

Top five next opponents for Manny Pacquiao
Mikey Williams/Top Rank

5. Keith Thurman vs Danny Garcia winner

These two unbeaten welterweight world champions are set to meet in March, provided Garcia gets past unfancied Samuel Vargas this weekend. The winner would then be a prime candidate for Pacquiao and arguably his biggest threat at 147lbs. However, the timelines are unlikely to match as Pacquiao would not wait around that long to fight the Thurman-Garcia winner.

4. Kell Brook

Another welterweight champion, IBF title-holder Brook is coming off of a loss to Gennady Golovkin up at middleweight. Getting back to welter would be a struggle for Brook, but he insists he can do it for the big fights, and they don’t get much bigger than Pacquiao. Brook’s brave showing against ‘GGG’ has seen his stock rise and the enormity of the event has enhanced his profile.

3. Vasyl Lomachenko

Pacquiao has reportedly claimed he could drop to 135lbs and meet fellow pound-for-pound entrant Lomachenko. The fight would pit two of the sport’s most elite operators against each other and would be a major test for both.

2. Floyd Mayweather

You would watch a rematch. Even though their first encounter was dull, a rematch between these two superstars is still the biggest event that can be made in boxing right now. Floyd was ringside for Pacquiao’s win over Jessie Vargas, sparking speculation that the pair could fight once again.

1. Terence Crawford

Crawford has been tipped for stardom for a while now, and a changing of the guard fight against promotional stablemate Pacquiao is high up on a lot of fight fans’ wish lists. Crawford has already proven himself one of the best fighters in the world but a win over a living legend would turn him into a pay-per-view star.

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