I’m not saying that Pacquiao should have to come down to 140lbs to fight JMM, but I don’t think it’s fair for Juan to go up to 147lbs. Juan Manuel Marquez is the only man on the planet that has given Pacquiao fits in the boxing ring. This excluding Pacquiao’s very early days. Marquez had to go up in weight to get the money Vs. Floyd Mayweather, and he got thumped for his trouble. Going back up to meet Manny Pacquiao would mean trouble for him as well.
A fight Vs. Pacquiao at 140lbs would be an exciting and much more optimal weight for Marquez to fight at. He’s on his A game at that weight, as he demonstrated clearly last Saturday when he stopped Michael Katsidis. Marquez also defeated former undisputed lightweight world champion Juan Diaz twice, both times at under 140lbs. He’s a great “little” man fighter He’s not a great “bigger” man fighter. He’s a little older now so making 130 and 135 would be difficult, but 140lbs is perfect for him. Pacquiao can make 140lbs easily, he weighed in at 144.6 Vs. Margarito.
As of right now it appears as if Bob Arum’s radar is pointing at Shane Mosley as Pacquiao’s next opponent. This is a match-up that nobody really wants to see. Mosley’s last few performances have been less than impressive. He was blown out by Mayweather and fought to a draw Vs. Sergio Mora. Marquez on the other hand has been on a tear, minus the one defeat to a much bigger Floyd Mayweather Jr. Marquez deserves his shot at Pacquiao, it’s a trilogy worthy of serious consideration.
With the self inflicted issues on Floyd Mayweather, it does not appear that the super fight will ever happen, so let’s make fights that can happen. I recently spoke with famed fight promoter Lou DiBella. He has two out of the three names in his stable that are being talked about as possible Pacquiao opponents. Andre Berto and Sergio Martinez. Most feel as if Martinez is just too big, but Andre Berto is not out of the question. Dibella spoke about this to me yesterday, ” Andre Berto is young and he’s strong, and he’s fast. I think he would be an exciting opponent for Pacquiao to take on. Does he have the same experience as Pacquiao does? No, but he’s primed and ready, young, and strong.”
Recently when I spoke with Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach he too spoke highly of Berto, “I agree, I think Berto would be a good opponent for Manny to take on next.”
Mississippians that I have spoken to across the state at both boxing matches, and MMA matches for the most part feel as if Marquez should get first crack at Pacquiao. I spoke to Miguel Hernandez, an amateur fighter in Jackson, MS and got his thoughts on possible opponents for Pacquiao, “For me, I think Juan Manuel Marquez deserves it more than anyone, including Floyd Mayweather. Floyd is scared and JMM fears nobody. He beat Manny once, and the second fight is debatable.”
Hopefully we can see the trilogy happen, Manny Pacquiao Vs. Juan Manuel Marquez happen soon. If it does, let us hope that it’s at 140lbs, a fight both men can make and fight fairly at.
