LOS ANGELES ? Manny Pacquiao, the new WBC superfeatherweight champion, is not closing the door on a third and final bout with Juan Manuel Marquez.
?If he wants we can fight 10 times more. Anyway, he?s older and I?m younger,? said Pacquiao the morning after a brutal fight, his right eye shut and swollen with stitches all over it but still managing to smile.
Pacquiao defeated Marquez via split decision Saturday evening in Las Vegas. But there?s a dark cloud hanging over the verdict, and there are those who believe that Marquez could have, should have won.
But that?s all water under the bridge now, and people are already talking about a third fight, one that should finally settle the ?Unfinished Business? between two great fighters who?ve never learned how to give up.
Pacquiao said he?s ready for Marquez a third time around.
?For me it?s whoever. All I need is to prepare hard. If only our promoters can agree then we can do it again. It?s the fight I?m after. Isn?t that what we all want? A fight?? said Pacquiao, at 29 almost five years younger than Marquez.
Pacquiao?s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, has not disclosed the possibility of another fight with Marquez, considering that the first, which came almost four years ago, ended in a draw, a controversial draw.
Arum said they can fight Marquez, under Golden Boy Promotions, a third time, but not as soon, say in June or July, as the other camp wants now. Pacquiao is set to climb to 135 lbs and challenge WBC lightweight champ David Diaz.
The Diaz fight is set, tentatively, June 28 also at Mandalay. But because of the extent of Pacquiao?s injury over his right eye, which may take six to eight weeks to heal, it?s possible that the fight might be pushed a month later.
But anything can happen.
?Why shouldn?t I face Marquez again? I already know his style. I fight boxers with whom I don?t have any idea of, much more someone I know,? said Pacquiao, now 7-and-1 against Mexican fighters over the last three years.
?I don?t like the decision. I still feel I?m the champion. It was a bad decision. I thought I fought a great fight. I still feel I am the champion. I don?t like the decision,? said Marquez immediately after the decision was announced.
?I?m sure everybody would agree there is a controversy and so the right thing to do is hold a third fight. This fight should have gone to the champion, Juan Manuel,? said his promoter, Golden Boy?s Richard Schaeffer.
Under the fight contract for last Saturday?s contest, a third fight only takes place if Marquez wins. And because of this clause, it?s really now up to Marquez and Golden Boy to chase Pacquiao even at 135.
Or even beg before him.
Arum is not saying it could never ever happen. All he?s saying is not too soon.
