Merchant: Pacquiao v Klitschko?

AP -- Larry Merchant was heard discussing the state of boxing the other day. One of the questions he was mulling over was boxing's next mega-event. He believes that if Wladimir Klitschko is victorious in boxing's heavyweight showdown at the Garden in February, he would emerge as one of the compelling forces in the sport. He further noted that it is widely held in boxing circles that a clear heavyweight champion adds mainstream interest. So, as Merchant suggested, the implication is that Klitschko could be utilized to draw casual sports fans to boxing. However, there are no clear challengers in the heavyweight division. Acknowledging the dearth of heavyweight challengers, Merchant has devised an unusual plan that would most certainly generate interest in th sport. Merchant's fantasy … better sit down for this one: Manny Pacquiao, the world's most exciting fighter and generally ranked second on the pound-for-pound lists, at about 144 pounds. That's right. Klitschko. Pacquiao. Klitschko v. Pacquiao. Whoa! Merchant must he was crazy. Pacquiao, to remind you, began his career at 106 pounds and now campaigns at junior lightweight (130 pounds) and is entertaining the possibility of a move to lightweight (135). Klitschko has fought his entire career in the heavyweight division. He weighs 240 pounds. He's a much bigger man than Pacquiao, not to mention almost a foot taller. But then the sage mentor began to make his case, and when you listen it's not such a nutty idea. He reminded me that some of boxing's greatest fights have been the result of a smaller fighter making a higher weight class. Merchant said, "First, once upon a time, it wasn't unusual for outstanding champions to fight way over their best weight to make money." Merchant believes that the potential fight could be had at a weight as low as 183 pounds and as high as 200+. Manny Pacquiao heavyweight champion? The idea might not be that crazy. Merchant said, it's happened before, "Rocky Marciano and Roy Jones Jr. were not heavyweights. But, they fought at heavyweight. There's a precedent, so it's not unrealistic." What did Bob Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, think about Merchant's latest idea? "We'll take it," he said immediately. "I don't even have to call Manny. I am sure he would accept the challenge without question." Klitschko's thoughts? "Right now, I am entirely focused on Sultan Ibragimov. Obviously, the idea is unusual and exciting." Merchant, who has forgotten more boxing than most of us know, has planted the seeds for an event that could launch a new generation for boxing. This idea is one that needs to be examined before it's dismissed.