• Boxing

Pacquiao set to face Marquez in October

ESPN staff
April 26, 2011
Manny Pacquiao has beaten Juan Manuel Marquez once, and drawn with him once © Getty Images
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Steve Bunce's boxing column

Manny Pacquiao's promoters, Top Rank, have offered Juan Manuel Marquez the opportunity to take on the Filipino for a third time in October this year.

Should Pacquiao come through his WBO welterweight title fight with Shane Mosley on May 7, he looks set to take on Marquez, who he defeated on a split decision in 2008, four years after being held to a draw.

The bout has become possible as Marquez's contract with Golden Boy has expired, and he appears unlikely to sign a new deal. Top Rank and Golden Boy refuse to do business with each other, having contested a number of lawsuits in recent years, including one over Pacquiao's promotional rights, which Top Rank won.

"Last Friday, April 22, Top Rank made a firm offer to Juan Manuel Marquez to fight Manny Pacquiao in October for his WBO 147-pound belt," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "Part of the deal includes a rematch provision in case Marquez would win. So Pacquiao could potentially be tied up for quite a while."

While the Marquez bout will be eagerly anticipated, its likelihood deals a significant blow to any hopes of a Floyd Mayweather Jnr-Pacquiao showdown in the near future. "Based on this offer, it seems like Pacquiao and Top Rank have no interest in fighting Mayweather, at least this year," Schaefer said. "If they did, I am sure Top Rank would have had language in the offer saying this was the deal unless a Mayweather fight could be secured, but it doesn't say that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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