FOR JUAN Manuel Marquez, the decision by Manny Pacquiao’s camp not to pursue a rematch with the sweet-punching Mexican is a sign of cowardice.
Pacquiao had sent a letter to the World Boxing Council (WBC) last week, informing governing body president Jose Sulaiman that while he respects the Mexico-based organization, a second fight with Marquez is not on the radar screen.
The WBC had issued a memorandum two weeks ago urging the camps of Pacquiao and Marquez to begin negotiations and should there be no agreement reached by June 18, a purse bid will be supervised by the WBC.
Pacquiao is promoted by Top Rank that is owned by Bob Arum while Marquez, as well as majority of the big-name fighters in the super-featherweight division, fights under the Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) of Oscar De La Hoya.
“They say that he (Pacquiao) has won against every Mexican who fought him but that is not true,” Marquez, the reigning WBC super-featherweight king told the Los Angeles-based Spanish-language daily La Opinion.
“I won against him (In May, 2004 in Las Vegas) although the official result was a draw. He (Pacquiao) knows that he did not win against me. He (Pacquiao) is scared,” added Marquez, who snatched the WBC 130-lb crown last March with a resounding victory over Marco Antonio Barrera.
Pacquiao had floored Marquez thrice in the first round but failed to put him away and Marquez rallied behind his excellent gameplan and courage to salvage a 12-round split draw.
With Pacquiao no longer interested in squaring off with Marquez, others being considered to face Pacquiao in September or October are Joan Guzman of the Dominican Republic, Edwin Valero of Venezuela and even Barrera.
Pacquiao should be able to know what’s in store on the horizon when he meets with Arum early next month in New York.
