Manny Pacquiao and his camp are engaged in a discussion about a possible showdown against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in May, but several big-name fighters are also eyeing a shot against the Filipino boxing icon.
Marcos Maidana, who lost twice to Mayweather last year, believes that he still deserves a shot against the best boxers in the world today, including Pacquiao.
Robert Garcia, Maidana's trainer, said in a recent interview that they are considering several options at this point. But if he will have it his way, he wants 'El Chino' to face Pacquiao this year. The world renowned trainer admitted, though, that there are too many possible hurdles for the fight against Maidana and Pacquiao.
"If we had the opportunity to choose the next opponent of Maidana, I would say Pacquiao," Garcia told ESPN Deportes via BoxingScene. "But there are many things in the middle that would hinder that -- such as promoters, managers, television networks, and perhaps that's why we can't do too much -- but that's the fight I'd like for Chino."
And if they cannot find a way to get a fight against Pacquiao, Garcia said that they are ready to move on and just take other options, expressing confidence that the Argentine will make a lot of noise this year.
"There are other names, such as Amir Khan, Kell Brook. There are interesting fights, like Danny Garcia if he wants to climb to welterweight, the rematch with Adrien Broner. So there are options," Garcia said. "So let's so what happens, but certainly 2015 could be a big year for Chino."
Aside from Maidana, British boxer Amir Khan is also pushing for a showdown against Pacquiao - his former sparring partner when he was still under Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
Khan has made it no secret over the past several months that Mayweather is on top of his list of possible opponents. But after not getting words from Mayweather's camp about a possible fight, the Briton is now pushing for a fight against Pacquiao, asking boxing fans if they are interested in seeing them collide this year.
"Who wants to see khan vs Pacquiao because I know Mayweather's running," Khan posted on Twitter.
Khan, who scored dominating wins against Luis Collazo and Devon Alexander last year, believes that a showdown against Pacquiao is a more realistic option. The 28-year-old former world champion even said that Pacquiao might be open to facing him in England.
"I have proven myself at top level and want the big fights," Khan told Bolton News. "I would love to fight at Wembley Stadium. I believe Manny Pacquiao would come to England and fight me here - that would be good."
