Sadly, very few Filipino boxers could surpass Pacquiao’s achievements in the sport.
It is easy to choose from among a limited number of rising Filipino boxers who are making a name for themselves in international competition.
The choice is limited to the rising boxers of ALA Promotions, a Philippine boxing promotions outfit that is making a name in the sport.
They include Donnie Nietes, Geneses Servania, Arthur Villanueva and Albert Pagara, among others. These fighters have a better chance to make a name in international competitions because they are handled by a professional and internationally-recognized promoter.
Servania, Villanueva and Pagara are unbeaten in their pro career while Nietes lost once since he turned pro in 2003.
Except for Nietes, who is turning 34 next year, one of the three unbeaten ALA fighters could maintain his spotless record to become world titlist in multiple weight classes.
But it would probably take three to five years find out who among these three young and aspiring fighters could carry the torch for Pacquiao when he finally leaves the sport.
In the short term, former five-division world titlist Nonito Donaire (34-3, 22 KOs) could be the next boxing attraction when Pacquiao retires in a year or two. But it could only happen if he stays in the weight class that works best with his body.
In his desire to bag more lucrative fights, Donaire fought in higher weight limits that caused his devastating defeat against Nicholas Walters last year.
For many years, Donaire fought in the bantamweight limit where he reign supreme over his opponents. Later, he moved further up to featherweight where he was knocked out by Walters for his third career loss.
Donaire will face Anthony Settoul (20-3, 8 KOs) on July 18 at the Venetian Resort & Casino in Macau, China in the weight class where he is comfortable.
A win against Settoul could give Donaire another opportunity for a major world title fight, which could trigger a series of victories in the weight class where he is unbeatable.