WITH THE Pacquiao-Morales trilogy a part of boxing lore, the bell now tolls for Pacquiao-Marquez II.
A senior official of Oscar De La Hoya?s Golden Boy Promotions said yesterday the groundwork is being laid for a rematch between Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao and World Boxing Council superfeatherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez in March next year.
“It?s in the works and (Top Rank head) Bob Arum and (GBP Chief Executive Officer) Richard Schaefer sat over the weekend in New York and went through the details,” said GBP vice president Eric Gomez yesterday at the lobby of The Manila Hotel, site of the ongoing 45th WBC convention.
“There?s a very good chance,” said Gomez, whose friendship with De La Hoya dates back to their childhood days. “They?re talking right now, looking at details, they are negotiating and I am sure the two of them can reach an agreement.”
Gomez said Marquez would like nothing than to get another shot at Pacquiao.
“This is the fight he wants and he made that very clear that he wants to fight Manny and it?s up to Manny to decide,” he said “The ball is on Manny?s court.”
Pacquiao, in a Reuters interview yesterday, reiterated a previous Bulletin report saying he would be willing to fight anyone at super featherweight or he could even move up to lightweight, but added that he would demand the lion?s share of the purse in any fight with Marquez.
“In reality, I do want to get more than him,” said Pacquiao, adding that confirmation of his next opponent would come in December.
Pacquiao, who turns 29 on Dec. 17, knocked Marquez down thrice in the first round in their May 2004 fight in Las Vegas, but Marquez clawed back with his near-flawless counter-punching en route to a 12-round split draw.
“Whenever there?s a controversial fight, a rematch has to happen. It deserves a rematch,” said Gomez.
“There?s a lot of people who felt Marquez won and there are others who argue that Manny pulled out the victory so this is a fight that a lot of fans want to see.”
Arum handles the promotional rights over Pacquiao although GBP is going to play a part on whatever Pacquiao will do next owing to a legal agreement signed by the two parties last June.
“Bob Arum is going to look after the best interest for Manny and we want Manny to be happy and we are going to look for the best interest for Marquez but he pretty much given us the green light,” said Gomez.
Arum reportedly is also lining up American David Diaz, the reigning WBC lightweight champion and another Top Rank talent for Pacquiao.
There?s also another American, rugged puncher Juan Diaz, the current World Boxing Association lightweight titleholder, a right-hander Pacquiao prefers over a southpaw opponent.
Still, Gomez and GBP, and even WBC president Jose Sulaiman, are batting for a Pacquiao-Marquez clash.
In the event Top Rank and GBP join hands anew, Gomez believes it would be another smash hit.
“It?s going to be a co-promotion with Top Rank just like in the Pacquiao-Marco Antonio Barrera fight (last month) and we are going to have the same setup.”
