source: Michael Feliciano - boxingnews24.com

In the wake of Edwin Valero’s knockout win over Antonio Demarco (23-2, 17 KOs) last month on February 6 which brought him to an incredible record of (28-0, 28 KOs), it is easy to assume that only blockbuster fights against caliber fighters lie ahead for him. However, the Venezuelan native may soon instead find himself begging boxers to join him in the ring. He has already called out Juan Manuel Marquez (50-5, 37 KOs) and boxing’s new golden boy Manny Pacquiao (50-3, 38 KOs) but I don’t think anyone really expects either of these fights to take place. A fight with Valero is just too risky for established pugilists like them.

 Valero is an animal in the ring and at the sound of the bell, he seems to have one thing on his mind; blood and he has yet to take a step back any of his fights. He mirrors another fighter who has already captured the world of boxing with his relentless attack and fearless performances Manny Pacquiao. His relentlessness in the ring and his non stop attack make him the same type of fighter as Pacquiao, cut from the same cloth but not nearly as disciplined.

However Pacquiao is much more disciplined. Where Valero is a hungry beast with a huge appetite, Pacquiao is a learned hunter and if Valero continues his reckless assaults in the ring, he’ll find his new found glory short lived. But like I said, I doubt Pacquiao will fight him since the risk is much greater than the reward and at the moment Valero is still in the lightweight division and is not nearly as well known.

Conceivably, Valero could face Juan Manuel Marquez especially since he recently pulled out of negotiations for a fight against the British star Amir Khan (22-1, 16 KOs) after being offered to little money. But again, Marquez has little to gain from fighting a guy like Valero and at his age it’d be a little dangerous considering all the wars he has been through already two of which were against Pacquiao.

Valero would be better off facing the other top-tier contenders in the lightweight division like Juan Diaz (35-3, 17 KOs) or Michael Kastidis (26-2, 21 KOs) for example. Both fights would be easy for him and knockout wins against either of them would get him even more recognition and acclaim. But as he has stated previously, he feels he is ready for the big time fighters. Perhaps a move to the Jr. Welterweight division would serve him well considering all the name talent at 140lb.

Usually, for a boxer take on a big challenge he has to feel there a chance to win and unfortunately, Valero’s astonishing 100% knockout ratio gives little room for comfort. At 28, Edwin Valero is in his prime and it’s logical that he and his camp want to face the superstars of the sport. Given his remarkable record, Valero has earned the right to call out anyone he wants and as long as his health and behavior remains in tact he can continue to do so. It seems however, that no one seems to be ready for him. Bad timing perhaps.

The ferocity and excitement that Edwin Valero brings to the ring on fight night are key elements to great boxing and it would be more than a shame if he is evaded by the current stars of the sport. Let’s just hope that some one of notoriety takes up the challenge and gives him a chance to become a superstar.

source: Boxing fan's

This are my thoughts on Pacquiao's should be/would be opponents in the future.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.
This is the fight the i have been wanting to see and everyone wants to see. it should have been the one that took place in that wonderful stadium in dallas. i believe mayweather will win his next fight with mosley to a cat and mouse game that would end in a decision. but still there's a chance that this fight might not happen! why? just in case if pacquiao won't take the test will floyd give way? i dont think so! but if pacquiao suddenly agrees to take the test but demands the fight to be in dallas where xylocaine can't be used although it's not illegal, will floyd say yes? or if pacquiao demands something to counter the drug test if he ever agrees to it, will it be enough for the fight to take place? we will see!

Till then there are other options. although not as great but atleast something something to keep us entertained before retiring.

Shane Mosley
If by surprise shane wins his fight with money may maybe before he goes on with his rematch there might be a chance for him to square off with pacquiao. it will be a good fight in my opinion. both guys comes to fight toe to toe. it will be nice for pacquiao to have another fight with another great fighter.

Antonio Margar[i]ito
I say forget this fight. this shouldn't even be happening nor be mentioned. pacquiao has a great status now. he shouldn't ruin it fighting with a cheater and a disgrace to boxing. although i see bob arum making an offer pacquiao can't refuse. the only place it would take place is either mexico or philippines but i dunno really. fuk this fight seriously!

Juan Manuel Marquez
This is a fight i would also want to see just to finish the doubts. but in my opinion if pacquiao defeats him people will just say marquez is old and slow at welterweight. to make it exciting maybe pacquiao has to go down somewhere below 147 maybe at 145. i dont see it going that way since pacquiao is the man now and marquez has to be the one to make adjustments. but i really hope pacquiao will come down just to make this fight exciting for us. but like i said if he beats marquez he wont get that much credit!

Tim Bradley, Andre Berto, Devon Alexander
Good up and coming fighters but i still think they are green for the pacman. they will give him a little trouble early but experience and pacquiao's ability will still be the outcome. maybe they can have an elimination fight. something that didn't happen with the featherweights and the lightweights who wants to challenge the pacman. again i just dont see the public going for this because it's just another unknown fighter for them, they dont want to see another clottey type(im not talking about his style) who would just be another addition to pacquiao's victory. casual fans which is the majority in the world wants a good fight with a great fighter.

Edwin Valero
a fight with a guy like valero is the lowest he can go. but the good thing about it is that it will be the most action pack fight for 3-5 rounds. im not too sure with how long it will last but there will be a fuking knockout! but again this will be a fight in dallas or philippines. but i would say philippines is the best place to put this fight. i dont think a fight with valero will fill the dallas stadium. it happened with a guy like clottey but i dont think fans wont but into that type again unless it's mayweather.


My final thoughts is that if pacquiao-mayweather happens floyd will have difficulties with pacquiao's speed, angles, and power. but according to experts floyd is really a smart fighter who can adjust. if he ever does adjust well against pacquiao i see him winning a decision if he sticks to the plan which is back off, block and counter to decision. but because of the criticism that he's been getting from everybody he would need to throw more punches. if he does that pacquiao might get a chance. if pacquiao does something extraordinary and win im pretty sure there's a rematch. which is a good thing so we got something to wait for on 2011 since after this there's not a lot for boxing to be excited about.

source: Rick Reeno - boxingscene.com

BoxingScene.com spoke with trainer Freddie Roach about the possibility of Manny Pacquiao defending his WBO welterweight title against Antonio Margarito in November. Roach is not even thinking about Margarito because the Mexican fighter has yet to obtain a license to box in the United States.

Last February, the California State Athletic Commission revoked Margarito's boxing license. Margarito was punished over an illegal substance being discovered in his handwraps moments before the fight with Shane Mosley on January 24.

Margarito is making a ring return on May 8 in Mexico. The former welterweight champion has the ability to request a new license, but there is no guarantee the California commission will grant his request. As an alternative to the problem, Roach was approached with the idea of holding the Pacquiao-Margarito fight in Mexico, which the trainer quickly shot down.

Roach views undefeated Edwin Valero as the best fight for Pacquiao in November. Valero is licensed to box in the state of Texas. If the fight is held in Cowboys Stadium, Roach believes the entire venue will be sold out. But, Valero has some issues of his own. In early 2009, Valero was busted in Texas for driving under the influence of alcohol. Because of the charge, he's been unable to obtain a visa to enter the United States. Roach is confident the visa issue will be cleared up.

"[Margarito] has no license. They said we could fight in Mexico but that's not going to happen. That would be a real bad move for Manny Pacquiao - to slap the commissions in the face. I'm thinking about it and the number one contender in my mind right now is Valero," Roach told BoxingScene.com.

"Valero is licensed in Texas. If we do Valero there, we could sell out the whole place. You don't have to close half of it down. I've been watching him a little bit. I know he's a big puncher. He's a southpaw and does pose some difficulties. He's better than just a guy who could punch but I think that's the best marketable fight out there for us."

I mentioned a few other possibilities like undefeated WBC/IBF 140-pound champion Devon Alexander and unbeaten WBO champion Timothy Bradley, who makes his HBO debut on June 26 - at welterweight. Once they become bigger names, Roach will consider them as opponents for Pacquiao.

"Once they start selling tickets, and we could get them on pay-per-view and start making money - [then] we'll fight those guys," Roach said.

And of course there is the option of a trilogy fight with Juan Manuel Marquez - which is Freddie's personal favorite to take place.

"Personally, that's the fight I want. Nacho [Beristain] is a good trainer and we're competitive and I'd love for Manny to knock him [Marquez] out," Roach said.

All of the names previously mentioned are "Plan B" opponents. The immediate goal for Roach and Pacquiao is to fight the winner of Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Shane Mosley, taking place on May 1 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.