UNIVERSAL featherweight king Manny Pacquiao’s much-awaited rematch with Mexico’s dual champion Juan Manuel Marquez is among the main offerings being lined up by cable network giant HBO for the first quarter of 2005, along with fights featuring middleweight titlist Bernard Hopkins, the comebacking Felix Trinidad and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The HBO schedule has calendared the Pacquiao-Marquez clash on Feb. 26. The two will dispute the World Boxing Association (WBA)/International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight crowns as well as Pacquiao’s Ring Magazine title.
HBO opens the year with a bang. On Jan. 22, it will present a doubleheader featuring the undefeated Mayweather Jr. and ex-welterweight champion Vernon Forrest taking on separate foes.
Seven days later, WBC junior welter champ Arturo “Thunder” Gatti goes up against Jesse James Leija.
A week before the Pacquiao-Marquez bout, pound-for-pound king Bernard Hopkins returns to the ring for the first time since his knockout win over Oscar De la Hoya, possibly against a mandatory challenger.
