BIG BEAR, California ? Boxing fans want Manny Pacquiao to give Juan Manuel Marquez a rematch, an on-line poll revealed.
The poll conducted by ESPN showed that 72 percent of 7,885 visitors to the website voted that a third fight should be made, while 28 percent said there shouldn?t be one anymore.
The two had fought to a controversial split decision last March 15 in Las Vegas with the Filipino emerging winner to claim Marquez?s World Boxing Council super featherweight crown.
The first time Pacquiao and Marquez fought in May 2004, also in Sin City, the bout ended in a 12-round split draw with each fighter claiming victory.
While fans believe that a third fight should be done immediately, Top Rank big boss Bob Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, has other plans for the new world champion.
Arum is of the opinion that Pacquiao and Marquez deserve to be given the chance to take on foes of their choice so the buildup for a third fight escalates again, a move that is sure to guarantee both fighters hefitier paychecks by the time they agree to square off for the third time.
In fact, Arum was quick to announce that it is very likely that Pacquiao will take on David Diaz, the reigning WBC lightweight titleholder on June 28 also at Mandalay Bay although Pacquiao said upon his arrival in the Philippines on Monday that his team hasn?t decided on who is it going to be.
Pacquiao suffered a cut that required several stitches to close during the fight and this is the reason why Top Rank is waiting for the right time to formally announce the identity, date and the opponent for Pacquiao?s next outing.
But in interviews that Pacquiao gave to the media here and in Manila, he was clear that Marquez is not on his radar screen in the near future but somebody in the lightweight division.
Diaz, who is spending time with his loved ones in Chicago, is also waiting for the official announcement from Top Rank but is ready to report for training camp as soon as he is told that the Pacquiao fight is on, his publicist Bernie Bahrmasel said.
Marquez, meanwhile, is also back in Mexico City, where he will rest for a while before charting his next move.
Marquez and members of his entourage had assailed the verdict and wants a rematch as soon as possible.
