Even months before the Manny Pacquiao vs David Diaz fight, there has been quite a lot of speculation about who Manny would fight next, implying that the Diaz bout was as good as won for the Pinoy boxing hero. And now, after Pacquiao's dominant victory over his challenger from Chicago, the buzz is definitely getting louder. Then and now, only two names have consistently come up - Ricky Hatton, the English brawler who got knocked out by Floyd Mayweather Jr. last December, and Edwin Valero, the unbeaten Venezuelan.

The 29-year-old Hatton is perceived by experts as one of the greatest British fighters of all time, a formidable tag for a future Pacquiao opponent who has openly expressed his willingness to
fight Manny Pacquiao. In fact, it has been reported that Hatton's camp has approached Bob Arum as early as January about the possibility of a Pacquiao vs Hatton fight. It will be an interesting match up to say the least and, with what we have witnessed in his recent fight against Diaz, a move to the 140-pound class looks promising for Manny. The added weight didn't affect his speed at all, contrary to many observers' apprehensions (inlculding mine). Both Pacquiao and Hatton are listed at 5 feet & 6 1/2 inches but experts say Pacquiao has the reach advantage. Ranked among the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world by Ring Magazine, Ricky Hatton was previously International Boxing Federation and International Boxing Organization light welterweight champion. And, until last December 8 when he was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the 10th round of their WBC welterweight title bout, Ricky Hatton was undefeated in 43 fights. However, since he is already committed to fight Paulie Malignaggi in November, a Pacquiao vs Hatton match up will have to wait.

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Reports have it that a Pacquiao vs Valero fight is almost a done deal and, since most of the top lightweights already are scheduled to fight each other this fall, it's probably true. But who is Edwin Valero?

Undefeated in twenty-four bouts all by knockout! That's the mark of Edwin Valero. But wait, there's more. In the first 19 of those 24 knockouts, the boxer from Venezuela dealt killer blows to his opponents in the very first round! However, despite such a killer reputation in the ring, only the most die-hard boxing fans know him. This is because he hasn’t really fought top caliber boxers so far. Moreover, his inability to fight in the United States is another hindrance.

Edwin Valero is unable to obtain a boxing license fight in the United States because of a failed MRI. He was involved in a motorcycle accident when he was 20 and was not wearing a helmet. A CAT scan taken after the MRI confirmed that he suffered brain trauma. However, last March, he was cleared to fight by the Texas Commission and his camp is hoping Nevada will follow the Texas example.

During the Pacquiao-Barrera post fight press conference last October, Barrera was asked by a reporter who he felt could defeat Pacquiao. His initial response was only one word: “Valero.” After shaking hands, Valero issued a challenge to Pacquiao using Barrera’s microphone. Although the challenge didn’t seem to be taken too seriously by those in attendance, the foundation for a Manny Pacquiao vs. Edwin Valero match up must have been set that night.

Edwin Valero is wasting no time in provoking Pacquiao to fight him, immediately starting a series of insults through the media together with a prediction that he will knockout the Filipino champ in the first round when they meet, just like his previous victims. However, many analysts disagree. They say Edwin Valero is too slow for Manny, probably even slower than David Diaz (look what happened to him). Though he packs a mean punch, the questions is, will he even be able to land any of those against the speed of a Manny Pacquiao? Edwin Valero will end up eating his words, they say. And that’s what I am counting on!

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Edwin Valero or Ricky Hatton: who's next for Pacquiao?

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