Filipino Manny Pacquiao, the featherweight sensation recognized by the prestigious Ring Magazine as champion of the world following his eleventh round demolition of legendary featherweight Marco Antonio Barrera last November 15 in San Antonio, Texas, has signed a multi-million dollar deal with promoter Murad Muhammad in New York.
A spokesman for Murad told Manila Standard the deal will begin with a May 22 HBO date at a site yet to be determined, but “possibly against Juan Manuel Marquez” the reigning WBA/IBF featherweight champion.
HBO was reportedly “very pleased to see a champion so eager to face the best challengers available and approved Marquez as the May 22 opponent. Should the Marquez fight be his next bout as it appears likely at this point, the plan is to fight Erik Morales next, also on HBO.It was the mentioning of Morales by Pacquiao that so impressed HBO,” added Murad’s spokesman.
