Aussie bomber next in line for Pacquiao

A two-time Olympian and gold medalist at the 1994 Commonwealth Games awaits Manny Pacquiao when the Filipino ring idol makes his much-awaited return to big-time boxing after bowing to former three-time world champion Erik Morales last March.

Freddie Roach, the noted American trainer of Pacquiao, told Fightnews.com yesterday that his prized ward may next challenge IBF 130-lb champion Robbie Peden in September, a fight that is expected to serve as a tune-up for his sought-after rematch with Morales.

Pacquiao lost via unanimous decision to the Mexican champion in a fight he was heavily favored to win but the General Santos native and Roach, for that matter, believe they can dish out a much better fight in a rematch.

"It was a great fight," Roach recently told boxing website Second Out, referring to Pacquiao’s losing stand against Morales. "Maybe one of the greatest, but we didn’t fight our greatest fight. I think we can fight a much better fight in the rematch and I think the rematch is something than can happen next."

But first things first.

And foremost in Team Pacquiao’s agenda, aside from its ongoing legal battle with American promoter Murad Muhammad, is to prepare the 26-year-old southpaw for his possible fight with Peden.

Dubbed "The Bomber," Peden is no pushover. He captured the vacant IBF super featherweight world title by stopping American Nate Campbell in the eighth round at the Vodafone Arena in Melbourne, Victoria last February.

The 32-year-old fighter, noted for his aggressive and smart fighting style, totes a 25-3-1 record with 21 knockouts. He represented Australia in the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics and won the gold at the 1994 Commonwealth Games.

But he would be facing a fighter raring to redeem himself from his recent setback and reclaim his once revered place on the world boxing stage he gained when he demolished Mexican boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera at the Alamodome two years ago.