Manny Pacquiao’s turbulent bout against Mr. Taxman has yet to be concluded, but you need not consult the crystal ball to pick a rightful next foe for the Pacman.
Tim Bradley or Ruslan Provodnikov?
Going by urgency and merit, it should, hands down, be Bradley.
Provodnikov, indeed, has gained enough credit to be pitted against Pacquiao.
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But common sense dictates that the unbeaten Bradley should prove a tougher, more saleable and very meritorious opponent for the newly redeemed Pacquiao.
For one, a Bradley fight should help fully confirm Pacquiao’s return among the world’s boxing elite.
Not to say Brandon Rios, whom Pacquiao manhandled but failed to put out, was not good enough a test.
But a startling firefight against Bradley, owner of a very controversial spit decision win over Pacquiao, should also boost the new dimension in the Pacman’s arsenal, his amazing defensive dexterity which he displayed in Macau last November against Rios.
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Again, not to take anything from Provodnikov, who produced an eye-popping masterpiece in sweet savagery with his conquest of Mike Alvarado in Denver last year to capture the world light welterweight crown.
Sorry, but given a foe of Provodnikov’s dangerous but rather predictable style, a fight against Pacquiao is in grave danger of slipping into a punching picnic for the Pacman.
If not, it could be just another bloodbath.
Pacquiao and Provodnikov were sparring partners at the Wild Card Gym.
Anyway, there should be mention here of Bradley’s upset of the proud Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, owner of a cold-blooded, lights-out KO win over Pacquiao, for more possibilities to rise.
A Marquez-Provodnikov duel promises to be a big seller itself.
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As for the Pacquiao-Bradley rematch, there’s no way to determine how far and hard the Pacman would work to be at his very best, unlike in their first meeting when he was observed conserving energy for most of the second half and going full throttle only in the final minute of the closing rounds.
All told, there’s the promise of one unforgettable bout when Pacquiao is given the chance to show what a recycled—and rejuvenated—storm is all about.
We can only expect a masterpiece in Sweet Science.
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(PARENG NINOY: The day after Christmas, there was a front-page item in People’s Tonight about one of its veteran desk editors getting killed after he was hit by a truck while walking on the highway. The victim’s name was listed as Saturnino Sofranes, 68. “Yes, confirmed, it’s Ninoy, our old friend,” said veteran newsman Bert de Guzman of Balita, where Ninoy worked as a sports editor. There has been no formal mention about this dedicated and proficient sports scribe who was always there to offer a helping hand. May we humbly propose that Ninoy Sofranes, a born crusader from Catanduanes, be given a posthumous recognition in the next Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night?)