Bob Arum could only pity Juan Manuel Marquez for stepping on Philippine soil, insisting that he was the rightful winner last March 15, and daring Manny Pacquiao to a third fight.
?It borders a little on the pathetic,? Arum, the legendary Top Rank president and promoter of the Filipino world champion, told Michael Marley of boxingconfidential.com yesterday.
?They (promoter Golden Boy) made Marquez look pathetic. Does anyone think that?s going to provoke me, Manny or the public to demand an immediate third bout?? he asked.
?What it shows is desperation. Marquez does not help himself or his cause by doing that. He?s giving people the idea that the only person in the world he can fight is Manny and that?s just not true.?
It wasn?t just Arum, or trainer Freddie Roach who felt this.
?He got a little cocky. He could have done better by saying ?we fought two great fights, they?re both controversial so let?s do it one last time.? Even on TV he kept on saying he won,? said a Team Pacquiao insider.
?He was telling this to the millions of Filipinos. And because of this, I heard that plans of him starring in some commercials here were shelved. Some people in the advertising business were turned off,? he added.
Marquez was scheduled to leave last night for the US and then Mexico.
Marquez lost a close decision to Pacquiao last month in Las Vegas. It was the second fight between them, and now the Mexican wants a rubber match because he claims he was robbed of a win.
But Pacquiao was not to be pushed against the wall, and agree to a third fight right there, right then when he crossed paths with Marquez at the Araneta Coliseum last Sunday.
Pacquiao said he?s open to a third fight, but did not commit himself despite Marquez? telling him face to face that, ?I know it, you know it, everybody knows it, I won that fight.?
?I thought Manny handled himself extremely well,? said the Top Rank big boss. ?He showed a little humility and he showed class. He was a real gentleman and the people love that about him.?
Arum said Marquez should get busy looking for his next opponent because Pacquiao is all set to climb one division higher and challenge WBC lightweight champion David Diaz on June 28 in Las Vegas.
