Top Rank chief Bob Arum recently disclosed that Terence Crawford (26-0, 18 KOs), Amir Khan (31-3, 19 KOs), and Kell Brook (35-0, 24 KOs) are the top three candidates to be Manny Pacquiao's opponent when he returns to the ring early next year.

Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs), who is still undergoing rehab for his surgically repaired right shoulder after he tore his rotator cuff during his fight against retired pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. last May, is said to be making a decision once the shoulder properly heals up, as reported by Boxing News 24.

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The 83-year-old promoter said that he could not finalize anything with regards to Pacquiao because he is still waiting for confirmation from the Filipino pugilist's doctors that he is completely well and ready to fight again.

A torn rotator cuff is said to be one of the hardest injuries to come back from and Arum does not want to rush the eight-division champion so he could be 100% percent when he goes in the ring again.

Arum is not planning on giving Pacquiao a tune-up match before scheduling him for a big one, so the timing and development of the 36-year-old's healing is crucial for him to perform at his normal level.

Pacquiao's adviser, Michael Koncz, confirmed Arum's shortlist of possible opponents, only that he insisted that Crawford would not be considered when Manny finally decides, as per Boxing Junkie.

"I don't like that fight. I don't think (Crawford has) earned it yet," said Koncz. "Manny can adapt. I just don't think he's earned it, and the style is not going to make for an entertaining fight for the fans. We'll have to follow him and chase him around."

Meanwhile, the call for a rematch between Pacquiao and Mayweather is steadily growing especially after the latter's one-sided victory over Andre Berto last weekend and the drug and IV-related issues Money is dealing with right now.

Reports went out before the Berto fight that Mayweather illegally injected himself with rehydration supplements during the eve of his bout with Pacquiao in May. His camp denied the allegations, although it gave more clouds of suspicion regarding the unanimous decision result of the Pacquiao.

Add to that the fact that Manny was not at his 100% best during the match, then boxing fans around the world would really want these two superstars to retire fighting each other for the last time.

Bleacher Report noted that a rematch with Pacquiao is "a much more fitting way" for Mayweather "to finish his career."

TagsBoxing, Boxing 2015, Boxing News, Boxing News 2015, Boxing Rumors, Boxing Rumors 2015, manny pacquiao, Terence Crawford, Amir Khan, Kell Brook, Bob Arum