LIST OF RIVALS DOWN TO FOUR

MANILA, Philippines - They’re no longer accepting entries to the Manny Pacquiao Derby.

And it’s a four-cornered race as to who gets the million-dollar shot at the Filipino boxing superstar who plans to return to the ring in May or June of 2012.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., who’s going to jail, has been scratched off the list, leaving Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Tim Bradley and Lamont Peterson in the race.

“It should be among the four. I think one of them will be Manny’s next opponent,” said Pacquiao’s legal adviser, Franklin Gacal, yesterday morning.

Bob Arum must have turned off his mobile phone for the holidays, but the last time The STAR got through he said he was coming over to the Philippines to sit down with Pacquiao.

“Right after the New Year comes in,” said Arum.

For the meantime, Gacal said their eyes are focused on the four candidates.

“It’s one of them unless another option comes up. But I really doubt it if there’s anyone else coming in. It should be among these four,” he said.

The lawyer from General Santos City said if it were a horse race, then it’s on among Marquez, still dying for a fourth fight with Pacquiao, Cotto, for a rematch, and the two others for a first crack at Pacquiao.

“They’re ahead in the race. But I prefer either Bradley or Peterson,” said Gacal, adding that Pacquiao will have nothing more to prove against Marquez or Cotto.

“Let’s try the new ones,” Gacal said a few days ago.

Paco Valcarcel, president of the World Boxing Organization, however, told www.boxingscene.com yesterday he believes Pacquiao vs Marquez Part 4 will take place in 2012.



“Whether it takes place in May or November of 2012, I guarantee that Juan Manuel Marquez will get his fourth fight with Manny Pacquiao,” the WBO chief said.

Pacquiao is the reigning WBO welterweight champion.

Pacquiao has yet to seriously talk about his immediate plans and whom to fight outside of Mayweather, who begins his 90-day jail sentence on Jan. 6 in Las Vegas.

Gacal said the 33-year-old congressman will celebrate the New Year with his family in General Santos City.

“We haven’t talked about his next fight. He hasn’t said anything with formality. But since Mayweather is out, then he should be looking at Marquez, Cotto, Bradley and Peterson,” said the lawyer.

“Right now he’s busy playing basketball and with his Bible studies. That’s what he’s been doing everyday – basketball and Bible studies, basketball and Bible studies,” said Gacal.