Sources here say Pacquiao will be guaranteed $ 10 million (about P450 million) in the event he decides to lock horns with the Mexican assassin.

Pacquiao had knocked out Barrera in late-2003 but the Mexican said that was just a fluke and that he still has what it takes to exact payback if given the chance.

Pacquiao is being promoted by Top Rank of Bob Arum, while Barrera is under Golden Boy Promotions. A meeting in New York this week will decide if a rematch can be done.

Pacquiao is in New York now after frolicking in a Disney theme park in Orlando, Florida with wife, Jinkee, and sons, Michael Stephen and Emmanuel Jr.

A day after his arrival in New York from sunny Florida, Pacquiao headed to Atlantic City, New Jersey, for some additional R&R after checking out his younger brother Bobby’s condition in the lead-up to his Saturday night’s clash with Humberto Soto at Madison Square Garden.

"Manny’s taking advantage of the free time to spend more quality time with his family," said Pacquiao confidant Wakee Salud, who is en route to the Big Apple with lawyer Franklin Gacal.

"Manny had always dreamt of bringing the kids to the US and this is the perfect time for them to do some bonding," Salud said who makes up a small group of Team Pacquiao members that will grace the glitzy 82nd Boxing Writers Association of American (BWAA) awards dinner Friday at the Copacabana in Manhattan.

Pacquiao is returning to New York on Friday for the BWAA affair that will see him receive the Edward J. Neil trophy (2006 Fighter of the Year) alongside trainer Freddie Roach, who was voted the Best Trainer.

On Saturday, he will be rooting for his younger brother against somebody who is being groomed to face him.

Soto is one of four punchers being eyed by Top Rank chairman Bob Arum to lock horns with Pacquiao possibly on Oct. 6 in Macau, Vancouver or Las Vegas.

A clearer picture of Pacquiao’s next fight will be painted this week as Arum discusses the merits of that proposed bout in the next few days.

Aside from Soto and Barrera, Joan Guzman of the Dominican Republic and Edwin Valero of Venezuela are also being eyed.