Only a bizarre twist of events can stop eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao and Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez from meeting for the fourth time.
This is what many, including the Filipino icon’s closest friends said on the eve of the Pacman’s departure for the United States to meet with promoter Bob Arum, Top Rank’s top honcho and finalize the meeting on December 8 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.
The 33-year-old dethroned World Boxing Organization welterweight belt-holder is scheduled to fly Los Angeles today to scan the nitty-gritty of the fight deal and signed his name on top of the dotted line.
Once those are accomplished, a press conference officially announcing the Pacquiao vs Marquez showdown will push through Tuesday in Los Angeles.
Promoter Bob Arum told to the Association Press Wednesday that Marquez has already done his part of the deal by signing the contract.
“Si Marquez na. Unless magbago ang isip (It’s Marquez. Unless he again changes his mind),” was what ally and kumpadre Chavit Singson confided to People’s Journal/People’s Tonight in telephone conversation yesterday. “Wala naming ibang makakalaban (There’s nobody really except Marquez).
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Si (Floyd Jr.) Mayweather hindi pa puede ngayong taon after serving three months in jail (Mayweather cannot yet fight this year). (Miguel) Cotto, who actually was Manny’s first choice, umayaw at hindi nakapaghintay,” the Ilocos Sur chief executive, who said Pacquiao and himself had been in constant consultation during the time of his friend’s indecisiveness, uttered.
“Si (Timothy) Bradley, last choice sya. Lahat naman kasi hindi naniniwalang nanalo siya sa last fight ni Manny, so wala siyang karapatang humingi ng rematch,” Singson pointed out. “Hindi naman tumaas ang rating nya sa takilya kahit na nanalo siya. Controversial kasi panalo nya.”
Two other bosom pals – sportsman Wakee Salud and former three-time world champion Gerry Penalosa – subscribe to Singson’s thinking.
“Matagal pinag-isipan ni Manny ang bagay na ito. Tinimbang lahat ng possibilities. Kung ano mangyayari sa career niya, etc., lalo ngayong malapit na siyang mag-retiro (Manny though this things over and over for a long time.
He carefully weighed all possibilities. etc. on what will happen to his career, especially not that he’s nearing retirement,” Salud surmised.
“When Cotto decided not to him again, Manny had already intimated he wants to fight Marquez instead. Kaya lang pinag-isipan pa nya nang matagal. Kung si Marquez nga ang na-decide nya, tama lang yun,” Penalosa said.
“Sabi ko nga, hayaan na nya yung koronang ninakaw sa kanya ni Bradley. Talunin nya uli si Marquez at paghandaan nya si Mayweather para sa korona naman nitong huli (As I said, he can afford to let go his WBO welter crown. Win over Marquez, prepare for Mayweather for the latter’s WBC title,” he added.
Singson, Salud and Penalosa said though that Pacquiao must really concentrate on his training if he wants to win and regain the adulation of boxing fans that was somewhat diminished with his loss to Bradley.
“For me, I believe Manny still has what it takes to win a fight against the toughest like Mayweather, “ Penalosa remarked.” Bata pa siya at wala na ngang bisyo. Kelangan lang tamang preparasyon.”
"He should temporarily forget the only distraction that, I believed was the cause of his failure to completely dispatched Bradley in their June 9 encounter,” Penalosa said, obviously referring to his pal’s bible study and preaching activities.
Arum, meanwhile, told the Associated Press Wednesday that he would not announce the deal unless Pacquiao has done with his part by putting his signature, too, on the dotted line.
”It’s certainly going in that direction, “AP quoted Arum as saying of Marquez being Pacquiao’s next dance partner.
Marquez was one of three opponents considered by Pacquiao for the fight. Bradley was another of them, but the weakness of the pay-per-view sales for his upset of Pacquiao worked against him even though there was a promoter’s option for a rematch.
Cotto declined to take the fight, leaving Marquez as the likely opponent.
Pacquiao won two of his three fights with Marquez, with the first fight scored a draw. All three fights were top action fights, and some think Marquez won them all, including last November’s fight when Pacquiao got a majority decision to retain his welterweight title.
Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-74987.html
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
