Manny Pacquiao Bob Arum
Promoter Bob Arum, left, has narrowed down choices to two fighters to be Manny Pacquiao's, right, next opponent. Reuters

Redemption appears to be Manny Pacquiao’s sole reason for entering the ring this season.

Of the four names under consideration by world-renowned promoter Bob Arum, the Filipino star reportedly has just one on his mind. Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pac-man’s sixth-round knockout loss to the Mexican last year resulted in his second straight loss, something that had never happened in his 18-year career.

Marquez is looking for a huge payday of $20 million should he face Pacquiao for a fifth time, but may be more interested in taking on WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, according to BoxingScene.com.

Arum has also reportedly announced that Pacquiao will fight in October in either Macau or Singapore, pushing back the original time frame of September.

Other than Marquez, Bradley could also be Pacquiao’s next opponent, along with Mike Alvarado.

According to the Manila Standard, the American Bradley actually wants to face Marquez, but also knows he can haul in a much bigger purse in a rematch with Pacquiao. Bradley won his first title defense last month against Ruslan Provodnikov, and could validate his controversial split decision last year over Pacquiao by beating him once again.

The 32-year-old Alvarado avenged the only loss of his career to Brandon Rios two weeks ago by unanimous decision. According to CBS 4 Denver’s Vic Lombardi on Tuesday, a Pacquiao vs. Alvarado match will happen in October, after talking to Alvarado’s manager Henry Delgado.

The sides reportedly have to negotiate a contract, which began Wednesday, according to Lombardi via Twitter. However, since Pacquiao has said he wants Marquez, the idea of an Alvarado fight could be Arum’s ploy to bring Marquez’s asking price down.

Undefeated Floyd Mayweather still has to handle his latest challenger in Robert Guerrero on May 4 for the WBC welterweight title before any discussion on a fight with Pacquiao.

Rios hasn’t been tied to Pacquiao since before his loss to Alvarado, when he said he was squarely focused on the fight at hand.

Boxing