Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum revealed that Manny Pacquiao could face Amir Khan, Canelo Alvarez, or Ruslan Provodnikov in November if Juan Manuel Marquez makes himself unavailable.
Arum said in an interview with ABS-CBN News that Marquez is still on top of their list of possible opponents, but they are strongly considering fighting other top welterweights, including fighters from Golden Boy Promotions.
Among the fighters from their rival company, Arum said that Khan is the most likely opponent, especially if the Briton fails to land his dream bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"We will see which of these welterweights have been fighting for Golden Boy or on the contract to Golden Boy that Oscar can produce," Arum said. "Once we learn that, we can review those fighters. It could be Amir Khan."
The veteran promoter also added that Saul "Canelo" Alvarez is also an option for the November bout, but the former light middleweight champion is not ready to fight in September, but the 23-year-old Mexican American could be Pacquiao's opponent next year.
"Canelo is fighting too late. He's fighting in July. So for November, Canelo wouldn't be right. But maybe sometime next year," Arum said.
And if they fail to strike a deal with Golden Boy Promotions about the possibility of co-promoting Pacquiao-Alvarez or Pacquiao-Khan fight, Arum could arrange a fight between Pacquiao, and another Top Rank fighter, Provodnikov.
"Ruslan is fighting on June 14 on HBO. It will be shown in the Philippines and so he is also a potential opponent," Arum said.
Arum also revealed that he is also pushing hard for the fifth showdown between Pacquiao and Marquez, which will likely happen on November 8 in Macau, but the famed promoter quickly added that Marquez has yet to commit to the fight.
"Juan Manuel has not committed yet to the fight. I'll have the opportunity to speak with him maybe as soon as next week because I invited Juan Manuel and his wife to come to Macau so we have plenty of time to discuss it," Arum said.
Pacquiao, who is coming off a unanimous decision win over Timothy Bradley in their rematch last month, absorbed a sixth-round knockout loss to Marquez in their fourth showdown in December 2012.
