Florham Park, NJ, January 15, 2004 ? Superstar Manny Pacquiao, fresh off the biggest victory of his career against the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera last November, has made it official that he is relinquishing his IBF Jr. Featherweight crown, effective immediately, as of this morning, Jan. 15, 2004. Promoter Murad Muhammad had verbally notified IBF President Marian Muhammad on Tuesday, but made it official just this morning by e-mail.
For his part, Manny Pacquiao stated: ?The IBF has been good to me and I would like to thank them for their support. I was a proud IBF champion and although I am relinquishing my title, I want them to know that my first choice is to fight IBF featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez. If he accepts, I guarantee you I will once again wear the IBF belt. But if a fight against him cannot be made, then I would look to fight the best suitable opponent that will be accepted by all the parties involved in my career: my management Team, M&M Sports and HBO.?
