LAS VEGAS ? There is a clause in the contract that Manny Pacquiao signed with Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) that guarantees him of a crack at Juan Manuel Marquez in a rubber match in the event he loses Saturday night?s rematch with the Mexican, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said on Wednesday after the Pacquiao-Marquez press conference held at the Foundation Room, 43 floors atop The Mandalay Bay.
“If Manny loses, there?s going to be a third fight that will be made,” said Arum, who made sure that Marquez agrees to a rubber match when Top Rank and GBP, which promotes Marquez, crafted the official fight contract last year.
But such is not case in the event Pacquiao wins, according to Arum.
Pacquiao and Marquez had battled to a 12-round split draw in May 2004 at the MGM Grand.
Marquez, however, said that while he can?t go after Pacquiao if he loses Saturday night, he will try to convince GBP to set up one for him most specially if the rematch turns out to be a smash hit.
“I will talk to my promoter about it, but honestly, I don?t think about it (losing to Pacquiao),” said Marquez, who was helped in the translation by his adviser Jaime Quintana.
Marquez expressed confidence that he will get the job done as he had prepared long and hard for Pacquiao, who he described as a strong fighter and very respected.
“I will defend the title with my blood,” said Marquez, who will be making the second defense of the World Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight crown. “I hate talking outside the ring because I do most of the talking on top of the ring.”
Told that he is the huge underdog, Marquez just shrugged his shoulders saying those are just numbers, nothing more.
“I am not bothered, not at all,” said Marquez. “Because it?s just going to be me and him in the ring.”
“I am glad that he prepared himself well. Maybe he is worried about me,” Marquez said.
