by Ronnie Nathanielsz

Should "Fighter of the Decade" Manny Pacquiao beat Juan Manuel Marquez in their fourth encounter at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on December he'll most probably fight the winner of this Saturday's war between junior welterweights Brandon "Bam Bam" Rios and Mike Alvarado.

Arum told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard in Los Angeles that a showdown between Pacquiao and the winner of the Rios-Alvarado battle "could be unbelievable."

He said the fight will be at 147 pounds and that Pacquiao, who recently extended his contract with Arum to December 31, 2014, told him that "he wanted to fight no later than the middle of April so he can come back (to the Philippines) for the elections" next May.

Arum said they went over the calendar and since April 13 is a holy week "he (Manny) agreed November 20 is the last week that he could fight but not that it has to be April 20. It could be a little earlier but April 20 is what we are looking at."

 

He said should Pacquiao win and face either Rios or Alvardo "the public will go crazy for that fight. Imagine Manny against either of these animals (Rios or Alvarado.) Manny will have to become an 'animal' himself. Absolutely. These guys will make him an animal."

In reaction to the possibility of fighting Pacquiao, the undefeated Alvarado said  "That's awesome. That's better motivation for this fight. (against Rios). I hope that's the way it turns out and I'm ready for this moment in my life."

Alvarado predicted that Pacquiao-Marquez IV "will be another great fight. They are two, top contending world champion -superstars. It's going to be another great fight for the fans and for each other.I cant say whose going to win but its so close everytime. God bless both of them. Hope they come out okay and make this fight happen."

For his part Rios who is also unbeaten said "right now my main focus is on Mike Alvarado and once I get done with him I can say okay, let's do it now. I would love to fight Pacquiao" whom he had challenged in the past.

Rios revealed "that's still on my mind.After this fight the sky's the limit. I'm ready to take boxing to the next level and to bring the fans back."

As for Floyd Mayweather Jr., who hasn't been heard from recently, Arum noted "Mayweather is silent. He's telling people that he's not sure he wants to fight anymore and he's saying what he really believes. That doesn't mean that he wont fight."

The Top Rank promoter said he had lunch with someone who knows Mayweather who told him that Mayweather "likes the fight, wants the fight when he's broke. If he has money he doesn't want to fight."