After losing a close fight to Lacy, what is next for him ? He won't get a title shot at 168 soon and it doesn't seen he can beat any of the top 10 SMW. He is also to small for the division. I don't think Roach will traine him anymore either What he should do next ? Retire ? Stay at 168 fighting bums ? Be a gatekeeper for the top 20 ? Or maybe go down to 160 (if he can) ?
I don't see why he wouldn't keep doing what he's been doing. He's a big enough name that he'll still get relatively big fights because (a) he doesn't make unreasonable contract demands, (b) he's known from Contender and fighting Calzaghe and (c) any decent fighter knows they'll beat him. Manfredo can keep fighting the lower echelon for 3 or 4 fights, then fight someone with a decent name for more money. That'll do more than pay the bills.
Small fights against regional level fighters until he can get another payday and a slim chance at a victory against an up and coming or a name fighter.