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MONEY
would—again—not be a priority for Juan Manuel Marquez,
who relentlessly wants a third encounter with Manny Pacquiao.
Interviewed Tuesday morning over dzSR’s Sports Chat,
Marquez said he understood why Pacquiao, despite being
the challenger in their second encounter, got more money
than he did.
“Pacquiao deserves the money he got because he worked
hard for it. But all boxing fans want to see us fight
again. Now is the best time while people are talking
about it,” said Marquez through interpreter and Mexican
promoter Jaime Quintana.
 In their
rematch on March 15 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in
Las Vegas, Nevada, Marquez reportedly got $1.5 million
as compared with Pacquiao, who supposedly brought home
$5.5 million. Marquez, 34, was defending his World
Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight crown which he
lost to Pacquiao via 12-round split decision.
“Just
make the fight happen,” was what Marquez told his
promoter when they were still finalizing the fight purse
for the return match.
Both
Marquez and Pacquiao fought to a 12-round split draw
back in May 2004.
Two
weeks ago in the same program, Pacquiao’s American
promoter Bob Arum said the Filipino boxing sensation
deserves to get between $8 million to $10 million if a
third fight with the dethroned Mexican champion happens.
“My
promoter is offering him $6 million. But I think Arum is
crazy, or he is just trying to find an excuse to avoid
me. I know I will get less money, but I want the fight
to demonstrate who is the best fighter. Let’s give what
the people want to see,” said Marquez.
Marquez
said his cut is well on its way to healing completely
and that he will be ready to fight by June.
Arum is
scheduling a June 28 bout for Pacquiao against WBC
lightweight champion David Diaz also in
Las Vegas.
But Quintana believes Pacquiao won’t get more than $2
million against Diaz.
“Pacquiao can get more than $2 million if Arum is
willing to lose money. Pacquiao against David Diaz is
not an interesting fight. Only Marquez can give Pacquiao
the best offer he can get,” added Quintana.
If ever
an immediate rematch against Pacquiao will not happen,
Quintana said Marquez’ promoter Golden Boy Promotions (GBP)
have all the marquee fighters than can give the Mexican
an equally illustrious bout.
In a
separate interview, GBP Public Relations director Ramiro
Gonzalez said Marco Antonio Barrera will definitely
fight a few more times and that a return engagement with
Marquez is a big possibility.
Gonzalez
is in town for this Sunday’s world title clash between
world bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa against
mandatory contender Ratanachai Sor Vorapin of Thailand
to be held at the Araneta Coliseum.
“Barrera
has two more fights under his deal with Golden Boy. A
bout against Marquez is something Golden Boy is
considering,” said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez
added that Venezuelan knockout artist and World Boxing
Association (WBA) 130-lb ruler Edwin Valero, world
featherweight champion Robert Guerrero, WBO super
bantamweight kingpin Joan Guzman and even super
bantamweight champion Israel Vasquez are potential
opponents not only for Marquez but also for Barrera.
“With
Arum, Pacquiao can only fight Diaz but next to that
there’s no other fighter Pacquiao can fight under Top
Rank. Ricky Hatton is a Golden Boy fighter and do you
think Golden Boy will allow Hatton to fight Pacquiao if
they don’t let Marquez get his rematch with Pacquiao?”
said Quintana.
“If this
fight will not happen that is because Pacquiao doesn’t
want to fight me. I’m ready to fight him again even at
lightweight,” added Marquez. |
