By Lem Satterfield
LAS VEGAS -- Top Rank Promotions' CEO Bob Arum said that his preferred opponents for eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao following Saturday night's unanimous decision over Shane Mosley in defense of his WBO welterweight belt would be WBO and WBC lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, followd by WBC and WBO junior welterweight king, Tim
Bradley, and then, IBF junior welteweight titlist Zab Judah, in that order.
Arum said that he met with the 37-year-old Marquez on Saturday morning in his Las Vegas offices and presented him with a proposal that must then be reviewed by Golden Boy Promotions, which has the right to at least match the deal and retain Marquez as their fighter.
If not, Arum would then stage Pacquiao-Marquez III in Las Vegas on either Nov. 5 or Nov. 12.
If not Marquez, then Arum would pursue Bradley, whose contract with promoter Gary Shaw runs out on Sunday, giving Shaw a 30-day opportunity to match an offer by Top Rank Promotions.
Arum said that if not Marquez or Bradley, then Judah would be the next option for Pacquiao, who has won 14 straight fights, including eight by knockout, since losing a unanimous decision to Erik Morales in March of 2005.