Pacman May Fight Marquez Instead

source: mb.com.ph

MANILA, Philippines --- Manny Pacquiao and Bob Arum are on the same page as to what to do next.

A week after three judges rendered a shocking split decision that made Tim Bradley a household name, the Filipino fighter and the Hall of Fame promoter don’t look and sound thrilled when told about tapping Bradley as an opponent for Nov. 10.

Pacquiao has the right to mandate Bradley to face him in a rematch, but because the decision of CJ Ross, Duane Ford and Jerry Roth left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth, staging a rematch doesn’t appear to be high on their list.

Instead of Bradley, the name of Juan Manuel Marquez is being mentioned frequently nowadays and Arum is not ruling the Mexican counter-puncher out as the wise alternative.

“It (Pacquiao-Bradley) was a one sided-fight,” said Arum, sounding off that he doesn’t feel any rush whenever he overhears anyone talking about a rematch.

Marquez, who has a long history with Pacquiao, is the prime candidate and exploratory talks have already started between the Top Rank chief and Fernando Beltran, who has a promotional pact with Marquez.

Pacquiao has a storied rivalry spanning eight years and three fights.

The first time they met, Pacquiao and Marquez battled to a 12-round split draw in May 2004 and in the rematch in March 2008, Pacquiao escaped with a 12-round split decision.

In their rubber match last year, Pacquiao was awarded a 12-round majority decision, leaving Marquez bitter and still holding a grudge until this day.

Marquez, who turns 39 in August, maintains that he won all three fights and the judges screwed him up.

Pacquiao, 33, is not inclined to make a choice for his comeback fight until the next month, saying he will first go on a vacation with his family before making a decision.

A sneak-peek into Pacquiao’s future will be discussed by the time he and Arum meet again late this week.

Pacquiao is in Sarangani attending to the needs of flood victims but is set to head back to the US to reunite with his family and meet Arum.

source: mb.com.ph