Many boxing critics and fans are speculating on Manny Pacquiao Next Fight: whether Pacquiao will face Edwin Valero, Humberto Soto or Nate Campbell. Here's a compilation of what boxing journalists on Manny Pacquiao Next Fight and what they're saying:


"Valero is fun to watch but when he faces a serious opponent, he'll be exposed as a one-dimensional slugger with little technique or defense. I'd much rather see Pacquiao face Soto. And, in a perfect world, I'd rather see Pacquiao face unified titleholder Nate Campbell before either of them. Arum will never make that fight because it's way too dangerous."

- by Dan Rafael, ESPN


"I have a lot of respect for Guzman, who I consider to be a top 15 pound-for-pound player, but I’d rather see Campbell take on Pacquiao for two reasons: first and foremost, because it would be a hell of a fight, but also because it would unify all of the major 135-pound world titles. And then the winner of Campbell-Pacquiao could take on the winner of Casamayor-Marquez for the really-REAL-no-kidding-honest-to-gosh lightweight championship of the world. Ya never know, Pacquaio-Marquez III could wind up being for all the marbles at 135 pounds."

- by Doug Fischer, Maxboxing


"Manny Pacquiao-Edwin Valero Next? Let's hope this fight gets made. For although Pacquaio has many other, equally mouth-watering, prospective fights in his future, this one would likely be something truly special. Valero, a truly frightening puncher, against Pacquiao, the undisputed pound-for-pound king! What's not to like?"

- by James Slater, East Side Boxing


"If and when Valero finally defeats some real fighters, his name and talent will be held high above much of the super featherweight division. Should he ever reach that point, he will deserve a shot at Pacquiao."

"As of now, a scrap between the two is far from fair. Manny Pacquiao has defeated a who’s who of powerful Mexican fighters in the Super Featherweight-Lightweight territory. His resume is absolutely epic. If Valero came at Pacquiao with his hands down, Pacquiao would slam him face first into the dirt with a simple side step."

- by Daniel Cohen, Ringside Report


"Fights against Soto or Valero would merely mark time for Pacquiao... For at least the next few months, the Champ vs. Best debate will rage on at lightweight. It will linger on as long as linear champion Joel Casamayor and unified titlist Nate Campbell continue to travel different paths..."

"No matter how you mix it up – Campbell-Diaz II, Casamayor-Katsidis II, Marquez-Diaz, Guzman-Katsidis, and so on – none of it adds up to a single answer atop the division come end of 2008. ...That is where Manny Pacquiao can fit in, now that he's already tested the lightweight waters."

"A place in the Boxing Hall of Fame has already been long ago secured for the Filipino; a win at the very top level of the lightweight division would make his name the newest entry when discussing the greatest fighters of all time."

- by Jake Donovan, Boxing Scene


"I do once more want to make the case for Pacquiao fighting Marquez in the very near future, assuming he beats Casamayor. There are some who have advocated for Pacquiao to fight others, like Nate Campbell or consensus junior welterweight (140 lbs.) champ Ricky Hatton. Those are good fights, but not nearly as good or important as fighting Marquez once more. Why? For starters, Pacquiao is the new #1 pound-for-pound king; Marquez is in everyone’s top five."

- by Tim Starks, Ring Report, MVN


"What the world wants is something else all together. It wants Pacquiao-Marquez III, a showdown between guys who weigh 100 pounds less than the average heavyweight champion today."

- by Ron Borges, The Sweet Science


"It can be argued that Pacquiao left the 130-pound division at the very top, World Championship in hand, with no one else to face; but those who steep themselves into monthly ratings and die-so-much-harder for Our Sport could argue that there was still some farmland left to plow in the forms of Joan Guzman, Edwin Valero or Humberto Soto. ...Is it enough to keep him at lightweight?"

"...Then again, by that time, the winners of Campbell-Guzman, Casamayor-Marquez and Diaz-Katsidis might just be ready. Hell, from the tone of a recent open letter Campbell scripted to the winner of Pacquiao-Diaz (prior to last Saturday night's fight), he'd fight tomorrow."

- by Coyote Duran, Doghouse Boxing


"The boxing fanatics have enough of these fighters who can’t enhance the resume and legacy of the Pacman. Humberto Sotto and Edwin Valero can’t raise the status of Manny Pacquiao. Even if he beats them in a convincing fashion, boxing critics will simply dismiss it as a foregone conclusion."

"Anyway, there are fighters in the horizon who can elevate Pacquiao to the illustrious elite of boxing. Who are these fighters? Well, let’s name them — Nate 'The Galaxxy Warrior' Campbell, Ricky 'The Hitman' Hatton, and Oscar 'The Golden Boy' de la Hoya."

- by Don Leopoldo, Boxing Herald


"There are already talks about Pacquiao moving up to 140lbs and challenging Ricky Hatton, but while he is here, why don’t we compare him against the elite at 135lbs? His next big fight will most likely not even occur at the lightweight limit of 135lbs. Ricky Hatton, whose countrymen’s loyalty rival that of Pacquiao’s Pinoy brethren, is right around the corner at 140lbs for a super-fight. We hope this writer did not waste his time writing this piece, because we would be missing out on some intense action at 135lbs. We can hope, can’t we?"

- by Arben Paloka, 15 Rounds


"Arum mentioned that he hoped to make a bout with Ricky Hatton in 2009."

"But before all that, let's hope that down the line, regardless of whatever promotional battles may exist between Top Rank and Golden Boy, lets all pray that the lightweight division sees fights between Pacquiao and the winners of Diaz-Katsidis (September 6th), Campbell-Guzman and Marquez-Casamayor (September 13th) in the near future. It would be unconscionable if some of these fights never took place."

- by Steve Kim, Maxboxing


"A cadre of Pacman insiders, including Boxingcongfidential super snooper Hermie Rivera, are pounding the Pacman drums and the message is that there is a communication gap between Pacman and his promoter Bob Arum. This camp follower said that Pacman has told Arum he wants to fight Hatton by February or March at the latest. The source said Megamanny sees a megapurse of perhaps $15 million in that bout which is about double what he can earn against Soto and Valero. Whatever Manny wants, Manny gets?"

- Michael Marley, Boxing Confidential