Pacquiao ready to take on anyone in October gig

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao on Sunday expressed readiness to take on anyone among Floyd Mayweather Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto, and Sugar Shane Mosley for his next outing. Writing in his regular “Kumbinasyon" column for Abante and PhilBoxing, the Pacman said he’ll never back off from fighting anyone in that list as long as terms of the fight have been agreed upon and finalized. “Wala akong uurungang laban at wala akong pipiliing sagupaan, basta nagkakaisa ang aking koponan sa pagpili ng katunggali at maayos ang usapin sa laban, wala akong uurungan," he wrote. "Trabaho ko ang maghanda at magsanay para sa anumang laban. Iyan ang aking nakasanayan at nakagisnang hanap-buhay. Abangan na lang natin. Pero sa ngayon, lalasapin ko muna ang kaunting panahon na makasama ang aking pamilya," he added. Fresh from pulverizing erstwhile light-welterweight boss Ricky “Hitman" Hatton, the 30-year-old Pacquiao is eyeing an October 17 fight but so far only informal buzz and wish lists have been made as to his opponent. The comebacking Mayweather and Pacquiao’s old rival Marquez are set to duke it out on July 18, a fight card that interests the Pacman. And although he was quoted last week by the Bangkok Post as favoring Mayweather to win that match up and pave the way for a Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown, the Pacman is also open to giving Marquez a third gig. "Kung mananalo si Marquez sa laban niya kay Mayweather, siguradong mangyayari ang ikatlong paghaharap namin ni Marquez," Pacquiao wrote. Pacquiao and Marquez previously engaged in two close contests. Marquez escaped with a draw in their first meeting despite three knock downs while Pacquiao eked out a decision the next time. Since then clamor for a Pacquiao-Marquez III have remained high amongst fight fans and experts. A Mayweather win over Marquez, though, would not necessarily lead to a tussle with Pacquiao as money matters could be a major issue for two fighters who want the lion’s share of the purse and PPV earnings. Meanwhile, Cotto, who is penciled to fight Joshua Clottey on June 13, and Mosley, who has expressed willingness to climb the ring against the Filipino superstar, may not be willing to go down to 142-lbs, the catch weight the Pacquiao camp wants. In addition to the four, the list of possible opponents goes on with names like Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Edwin Valero also seeking a crack at the Pacman. While nothing is certain for his next fight, Pacquiao keeps himself busy spending precious time with wife Jinkee and kids Jimuel, Michael, Princess and Queenie in General Santos City. –GMANews.TV