Juan Manuel Marquez, the reigning WBC super-featherweight champion, still considers Manny Pacquiao as the biggest and worthiest challenger out there.
“I believe that the biggest fight for me out there is against Manny Pacquiao and it’s the one that people want to see,” Marquez was quoted by the Mexican press as saying.
Marquez took the hotly contested 130-lb crown from countryman Marco Antonio Barrera last March 17 in Las Vegas, opening the door for a big rematch against Pacquiao.
But the legal tussle between Pacquiao’s promoter Top Rank and Marquez promoter Golden Boy has stood in the way of a rematch between Marquez and Pacquiao.
The two gallant warriors locked horns in November of 2004. The Mexican was floored thrice in the opening round but showed nerves of steel to salvage a controversial draw.
Many people had hoped for a rematch that almost took place last month. The animosity between Top Rank and Golden Boy, however, prevented that from happening.
It could be the same reason why new talks for a rematch sometime in September might also bog down.
Instead, Marquez, who was offered $5 million to face Pacquiao, took much less in facing Barrera, the big consolation, however, coming in the form of a 12-round victory.
Pacquiao also settled for a lesser opponent in Mexico’s Jorge Solis, but reportedly made as much money than if he would have fought Marquez.
Pacquiao said the other day he would soon decide on whom he will face next. He is being made to choose by Arum from among Joan Guzman, Edwin Valero, Barrera and Humberto Soto.
Arum said Marquez is way down the list because the gritty Mexican, who’s turning 34 in August, is “demanding a lot of money” despite the fact that he has “no fan base” compared to Pacquiao.
The TopRank-Golden Boy dispute started September last year when Pacquiao signed promotional contracts with both parties. It may drag on and on unless an amicable settlement is reached.
This is the main reason Pacquiao is having difficulty landing a multi-million-dollar fight with Marquez or the other Golden Boy boxers like Barrera, Guzman and Valero.
