UNFORTUNATELY, THE world still awaits. And according to sportswriter Chris Mannix of SI.com, there are still ?five high-profile fights (that is) sure to save the sweet science? and one of them features Filipino star Manny Pacquiao.
In a story that came out the day after the Cinco De Mayo spectacle starring Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather, Mannix lined up five bouts that is certain to whet the appetite of even the hardcore fight fan.
“Nearly 24 hours have passed since Saturday night?s epic battle between Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya. The crowds have thinned out (or as much as they can in a casino) and the celebrities have all gone home,” wrote Mannix.
The other matchups which hopefully could spark a boxing renaissance are the duel of Mayweather versus Antonio Margarito, De La Hoya against Miguel Cotto, Vladimir Klitschko versus Vitali Klitschko, Joe Calzaghe versus Mikkel Mikkel and Pacquiao versus Juan Manuel Marquez.
The Pacquiao-Marquez, according to Mannix, is keenly awaited.
“This is a fight that has been brewing since ?04, when Marquez survived three first-round knockdowns to earn a draw with Paquiao, who is generally regarded as the top contender at whatever weight class he chooses to compete in. Some questionable decisions by Marquez?s management killed a potential rematch so the issues between the two have yet to be decided,” said Mannix.
“Pacquiao has looked bored in his last two wins over Erik Morales and Jorge Solis while Marquez has reclaimed his stature with a victory over Marco Antonio Barrera. The hitch here is that Marquez is represented by Golden Boy while Pacquiao is linked to (Bob) Arum, De La Hoya?s bitter rival. Still, this is a match that Marquez has openly pined for over the last year and if public support is strong enough, the promoters will have to get out of each others way on this one,” added Mannix.
Meanwhile, the daily Mexican sports paper ESTO yesterday reported that Barrera will soon decide whether he will fight Pacquiao or not. Barrera is eyeing to resurface on Sept. 15 either against Marquez (in a rematch) or Pacquiao.
