Golden Boy Promotions chief executive officer Richard Schaefer said recently there is “a good chance” of staging a rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar de la Hoya fighter Marco Antonio Barrera “if the public desires” even if the Filipino icon has signed a four-year contract with rival Top Rank.
The return fight was called off when negotiations bogged down with Pacquiao renouncing a promotional contract he had signed with Golden Boy to stay with Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
Pacquiao is now penciled to face Jorge Solis in Texas on April 14 while Barrera stakes his World Boxing Council (WBC) superfeatherweight crown against Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas on March 17.
But Schaefer opened the door for Pacquiao and Barrera to square off after their coming bouts.
“There are as well many other great fights we can do in this weight division (superfeatherweight) where most of the best fighters are under contract with Golden Boy,” Schaefer, a Swiss banker, told The STAR.
“Barrera versus Marquez is a big fight and I know it will be an exciting fight. These are two Mexican warriors with tremendous pride. These are the two best Mexican fighters of our generation if you analyze their accomplishments.”
As for de la Hoya who owns Golden Boy, Schaefer said he chose Freddie Roach as trainer for the May 5 showdown with Floyd Mayweather because of his experience and knowledge of the sport.
“Freddie knows extremely well how to analyze an opponent, recognizing his weaknesses then comes up with the winning game plan,” said Schaefer. “He is calm and collected in the corner and knows how to adjust to changing situations during a fight. He is the perfect ?general? in the corner.”
Schaefer debunked speculation that de la Hoya will announce his retirement after the Mayweather fight and categorically declared “it will not be Oscar?s last fight.”
De la Hoya is defending his WBC superwelterweight crown against the unbeaten WBC welterweight titlist Mayweather and both are expected to earn eight-figure paychecks.
“Oscar will have to be in the best shape of his life and turn in a flawless performance,” said Schaefer. “The fight has already broken box office records. Tickets were sold out in less than three hours and established an all-time record gate in Las Vegas history with a gross gate of $19 Million.”
Regarding Gerry Pe?alosa who challenges World Boxing Organization (WBO) superbantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon in the Barrera-Marquez undercard, Schaefer said he has “a heck of a chance” to dethrone the Mexican.
“I believe Gerry has a very good chance,” said Schaefer. “In his last fight (ninth round knockout over Mauricio Martinez in Texas four months ago), he showed to all his fans and the world that he still has the skills and the heart to become a world champion again. He is a terrific fighter and will come to win. Golden Boy is about offering fighters a chance to (win) world championships and with Gerry, we are proving that. In only his second fight with us, he already has the chance to become a world champion again. Golden Boy is the home of champions.”
Pe?alosa, 34, signed a multi-fight deal with Golden Boy last year.
Schaefer said there is nothing new in the court situation involving Golden Boy and Top Rank who are suing each other for Pacquiao?s promotional rights.
“Bob Arum interfered with our existing and valid contract and will be held responsible,” said Schaefer. “And Manny will have to realize that you cannot sign an agreement and then sign another one because somebody comes along and offers you more sign-on money.”
Pacquiao, who is seriously considering to run for Congress, plans to begin light workouts in General Santos City today and leave for the US to train at the Wild Card Gym after his hometown fiesta late this month. The schedule will allow only up to six weeks of training in Los Angeles before the Solis bout.
