By Radio Rahim
Top Rank's CEO, Bob Arum, has brushed off reports which suggest that he's in charge of selecting the next opponent for eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao (57-6, 38KOs).
Pacquiao has been out of the ring since May 2nd, when he lost a twelve round unanimous decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr. He injured his right shoulder during the fourth round of the contest and had surgery a few days later. Pacquiao wants to return to the ring no later than April of next year.
Arum is putting together a potential list of opponents and then he intends to present the group of names to Pacquiao. The veteran promoter says Pacquiao will be the sole voice in selecting the opponent, although Manny is surely going to sit down and evaluate the choice with his longtime trainer Freddie Roach.
Arum's current list has the following names - Amir Khan, IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook, Terence Crawford, Lucas Matthysse and Juan Manuel Marquez.
The next few weeks could shake up that list, depending on what happens with a few scheduled fights that involve several of those boxers.
There are ongoing talks with Khan. Brook defends his title next month against Diego Chaves. Crawford defends his WBO 140-pound title next month against Dierry Jean. Lucas Matthysse will battle Viktor Postol for the vacant WBC 140-pound title, and Marquez is still undecided on whether or not he intends to fight again.
"Manny is going to take the best guy, risk vs. reward - and determine who he fights. Anyone who says it's my decision is crazy. It's all Manny's decision. Manny, and I guess after consulting with Freddie, will pick the opponent that they want to fight," Arum told BoxingScene.com.
