Marquez next for Pacman

source: mb.com.ph

LAS VEGAS – Top Rank chief Bob Arum put plans to arrange a rubber match between Manny Pacquiao and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in motion even before the Filipino champion soundly beat Shane Mosley late Saturday night (Sunday, Manila time) at the MGM Grand.

Arum said he had met with Marquez on Saturday morning and “was not happy with our first offer.”

But before Arum began thinking of somebody else for a fight set for November 5 also at the MGM Grand, the Hall of Fame promoter revealed that Marquez has agreed to wait for “a revised offer” he intends to submit Monday.

“If Marquez approves it, then he will send it to Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) for approval of the Oscar De La Hoya-owned outfit.

GBP still has a hold on Marquez but if it doesn’t match Top Rank’s offer, something Arum believes will happen eventually, “we will go to Tim Bradley or Zab Judah.”

Marquez confirms offer

Marquez was at ringside and confirmed Top Rank’s offer to have him fight Pacquiao for the third time in November.

“I want to fight again with Manny but I want to see my promotional contract (with Top Rank),” said Marquez, who had two memorable battles with the Filipino star in 2004 and 2008.

Marquez got up from three knockdowns in the first round when they were still featherweights and lost a split decision when they went toe-to-toe at super-featherweight.

Arum declined to say if there will be a catch weight involved in the proposed third meeting although Pacquiao’s camp would demand that the fight be held at welterweight.

Marquez fared miserably when he made his welterweight debut against Floyd Mayweather in September, 2009.

While Marquez was a letdown at welter, Pacquiao has been making lots of heads turn.

Asked why Sergio Martinez, the Argentine world middleweight king, is not on his radar screen, Arum said matching Pacquiao with him “is crazy”.

Although Arum believes Pacquiao has what it takes to beat Martinez, the weight difference would be too much.

“Manny weighed 148 lbs or 149 lbs when he got in the ring tonight, while Martinez goes to the ring at 175 lbs,” said Arum.

“Manny will win against Martinez but it would take a lot from him and that fight is something I would not recommend.”

source: mb.com.ph