Roach: Horn is no Marquez

Veteran trainer Freddie Roach appeared amused when asked about Jeff Horn's plan of landing a monster right hand on Manny Pacquiao in their July 2 bout – the same kind of punch that Juan Manuel Marquez used to knock out the "Pacman" back in December 2012.

"The Marquez knockout has been our main point," Horn said ahead of his showdown against the Filipino star, which marks his first time to fight for a world title.

"Marquez fought Pacquiao the best that anyone has fought Pacquiao. So he's someone that we have looked at a lot, and to land the same punch that Marquez did in the fight – the big overhand right – that's definitely what we're looking for," he added.

Roach was in Pacquiao's corner when Marquez connected on that stunning right hand counter that sent the Filipino star falling face first to the canvas with just one second to go in the sixth round.

It marked the only time that a Pacquiao-Marquez bout had a definitive result as their previous three fights all ended in inconclusive decisions.

But Roach doubts that Horn has it in him to land a Marquez-like punch, even if the Australian does have a strong right hand.


"Well, you know, he's not Marquez, and he never will be," Roach said bluntly.

The only way that Horn can land a blow like that is if Pacquiao makes a mistake, the way he did against Marquez.

"If Manny steps on his foot and slips over a little bit and makes a mistake like that, he'll have Marquez all over again," said Roach. "But I don't see that happening."

"I don't know if we can compare Horn and Marquez," the trainer stressed. "Marquez is a great fighter, and Horn, he's a young kind coming up. We'll see."

But Roach stressed that Pacquiao is not in any way underestimating Horn, especially as the trainer believes that the Australian has "nothing to lose."

"He is in a very good situation," Roach said of Horn. "He can go out there and maybe get lucky, you never know. But we're not underestimating him – we're 100% ready for him."

"I don't think he'll beat Manny, but the thing is, he's in a very good position to help himself and help his country," he added.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

'All roads lead to Pacquiao-Marquez V'

MANILA – Some boxing analysts believe a fifth fight between rivals Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez is all but inevitable at this point after the Mexican legend crushed Mike Alvarado in a non-title fight last weekend.

With his unanimous decision victory, Marquez became the mandatory contender for Pacquiao's World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt.

Marquez refused to immediately commit to a fifth Pacquiao fight so soon after his victory, but he also did not immediately dismiss the suggestion as he had done so before.

"First, I have to rest, be with my family, and then from there, we’ll see what comes," Marquez told reporters. "I think before I make a decision about whether or not I want this fifth fight, I have to think about it real good."

Boxing analysts Jim Lampley and Max Kellerman are quite confident that the fifth chapter of the Pacquiao-Marquez saga will be written, however.

"I think all roads lead to Marquez-Pacquiao V," Lampley told Fight Hype. "Monetarily, that's what makes sense."

Pacquiao has the better head-to-head record, winning two of their four encounters, but those victories came via disputed decisions. Marquez’s lone victory was definitive, as he brutally knocked out Pacquiao when they last fought in December 2012.

Lampley says Pacquiao's and Marquez's recent performances make another fight a compelling idea again, even if it will be the fifth meeting between the future Hall-of-Famers.

"Manny looked brilliant against (Timothy) Bradley, and I thought Marquez looked amazing tonight," said Lampley.

"I think there will be more interest in it that I might have thought would be the case, because both guys have looked brilliant in their recent performances," he added.

Kellerman, for his part, told Fight Hype in a separate interview that he believes boxing fans "will see that fight."

"Who knows, even when Marquez put his lights out, it was a really competitive fight up to that point," He added. "These guys are evenly matched, and they always have been."

Pacquiao has said that no plans have been made regarding his next fight, though he was complimentary of Marquez when asked about his rival's fight.

"Halos lahat ng rounds, sa kanya," said Pacquiao. -- With a report from Francis Canlas, ABS-CBN News SOKSARGEN.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Marquez survives knockdown to beat Alvarado

LOS ANGELES -- Mexican veteran Juan Manuel Marquez rallied from a ninth-round knockdown to win a unanimous decision over Mike Alvarado in a 12-round non-title welterweight fight Saturday.

The 40-year-old Marquez, who scored a knockdown of his own in the eighth, has likely earned a shot at a fifth fight with Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao with this victory.

"He was strong, fast and very worthy," Marquez said of Alvarado. "I wanted to put on a good performance for the fans."

Marquez dominated the early rounds but then had his hands full in the second half of the fight as the hard-punching Alvarado showed a lot of heart in coming back from being knocked down.

Marquez improved to 56-7-1 as two judges scored it 117-109 and the third had it 119-108. He also landed more punches, 278-178, than Alvarado in front of a crowd of 12,090 at The Forum arena.

Marquez knocked Alvarez down late in the eighth round with a blistering right hand on the chin that was set up by a left jab. Alvarado got up just in time to hear the bell sound, ending the round.

The knockdown seemed to help wake up the 33-year-old American as he came out for the ninth with more energy and focus. With just over two minutes left in the round, he got into a wild exchange and beat Marquez to the punch with a short right that dropped the seven-time world champion to the canvas.

Alvarado also staggered Marquez twice in the fight, hurting him in the seventh with a similar short right hand then almost knocking him down again in the 11th. Marquez's knees bent and he fell back slightly but somehow managed to stay on his feet.

'I like wars'

"I like wars," Alvarado said.

In between rounds, Alvarado's corner kept urging their fighter to "beat up this old man up."

"It was a great fight," said Alvarado. "He felt the power from me. It was a good experience."

Alvarado, who fell to 34-3, took a lot of punishment in the first six rounds and fought the second half of the fight with a cut under his left eye.

Alvarado said he wishes he had been busier in the first six rounds. "I was warming up a little too much before getting off. I needed to let my hands go," Alvarado said.

Marquez, who has won titles in four weight classes, is expected to next fight Pacquiao in the fall which would be their fifth bout. In 2012, Marquez spectacularly knocked out the Filipino congressman in fight number four in Las Vegas.

Asked if he wants to fight "Pacman" one more time, Marquez sounded more like a promoter than a challenger. "I don't know at the moment, but whatever decision it will be good for me, my family, and all my Mexican fans."

This marked the first boxing match at the refurbished Forum facility in 13 years. Marquez kept his perfect record intact at The Forum as he fought there several times as a much younger boxer.

This was the second straight defeat for former champ Alvarado who lost to Ruslan Provodnikov in his last fight.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Roach eyes Marquez or Mayweather next

MANILA, Philippines - Freddie Roach can only think of two names when asked about Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent.

They are the old, familiar names: Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Marquez has fought Pacquiao four times but may consider a fifth fight.

Mayweather, on the other hand, still can’t make one fight with Pacquiao happen.

But Roach isn’t closing the door on anything.

Pacquiao returned home on Good Friday and took the next available flight to General Santos City to be with his pregnant wife and their four kids.

After he defeated Tim Bradley in a rematch, Roach was asked what or who should be next for Pacquiao.

“Marquez is a big fight for us,” he said of the 40-year-old Mexican, who knocked Pacquiao out the last time they were inside the ring in December 2012.

“If Marquez likes it I want that fight,” said Roach.

“And if Mayweather is interested, we’d fight him, too,” added Pacquiao’s trainer.

Pacquiao said his line is open 24/7 and all he’s waiting for is a call from Mayweather, the American idol.

Mayweather is set to face Marcos Maidana on May 3 at the MGM in Las Vegas while Marquez will be up against Mike Alvarado on May 17 at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

Mayweather is tipped to beat Maidana even before they climb the ring while Marquez will be hard pressed against Alvarado.

Marquez lost to Bradley on points in October last year, and his coming fight should weigh heavily on his future plans as a boxer.

If he beats Alvarado, he can ask for the moon for a fifth fight with Pacquiao.

Marquez is not looking ahead of Alvarado. He spoke to Fight Hype a couple days ago, and said he’s not thinking of Pacquiao at the moment.

Marquez sounded like he’s even pushing for Pacquiao vs Mayweather.

“I already have four fights with Pacquiao and a lot of people would prefer to see these two rivals in the ring. I think if we voted on what fight people want to see I’m sure they’d want to see Pacquiao vs Mayweather,” he said.

“There’s talk of a fifth fight but I do not lose sleep. I am preparing to fight against Alvarado and the other (fight) doesn’t interest me,” Marquez added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Roach wants rematches with Bradley, Marquez

MANILA, Philippines – Now that Manny Pacquiao has proven he can still compete at a high level with his beatdown of Brandon Rios, his trainer wants the “Pacman” to avenge the two losses that he incurred in 2012.

Pacquiao lost to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez in contrasting fashion last year.

In June 2012, he was stunned when Bradley was awarded a split decision victory in their fight, which he clearly won. But in December, Marquez landed a picture-perfect right hand with a second to go in the sixth round that knocked Pacquiao out cold.

Pacquiao bounced back by routing Rios in Macau last weekend in what was his first fight since losing to Marquez last year.

Following the victory, trainer Freddie Roach said that he hopes Pacquiao can avenge both losses.

“Personally, I want Marquez, but the thing is I can’t be sure if we can get him to fight us,” Roach said, as quoted by Boxing Scene, noting that the Mexican wants “a lot of money.”

Marquez has also been reluctant to commit to a fifth fight against Pacquiao, repeatedly saying he is satisfied with having gotten the last word in their rivalry.

Roach told RingTV that he feels it is unfair that Marquez is refusing to give Pacquiao a rematch, considering the history between the two fighters.

“I don’t like the way he gloats about how he finally beat Manny Pacquioa, and that he got robbed all those other times and stuff like that. He turned us down for a rematch, but we gave him three rematches,” Roach pointed out.

“I think he owes us one,” he added.

Bradley, who recently beat Marquez in their showdown to retain the WBO welterweight belt that he won off Pacquiao, is another option.

“Bradley is out there,” Roach said. “I think Bradley is someone that we have to avenge that loss, even though he won that fight so easily.”

Unlike Marquez, Bradley has made no secret of his desire to fight Pacquiao again, as he wants to prove that he deserved his June 2012 victory and is also keen to beat the “Pacman” in more decisive fashion.

Roach also said they still want to fight unbeaten American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao is tentatively scheduled to return on April 12, 2014, and his promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, said they have yet to discuss the return fight.

“We’ll talk to Manny, we’ll talk to Freddie, but I know we are tentatively scheduled for April 12, hopefully in the United States,” Arum said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Bradley edges Marquez to retain WBO belt

Timothy Bradley battled to a split-decision triumph over Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday to retain his World Boxing Organization welterweight title.

Bradley remained unbeaten, and denied 40-year-old Marquez a world title in a fifth weight class.

The bout featured the last two fighters to beat Filipino ring hero Manny Pacquiao going head-to-head in a close, tactical contest.

To the jeers of a pro-Marquez crowd at the Thomas and Mack Center, two judges awarded the bout to Bradley, 116-112 and 115-113, while the third judge saw it 115-113 for Marquez.

Bradley almost sent Marquez down with a left hook in the closing seconds of the 12th.

The 30-year-old US champion -- 10 years younger than Marquez -- was the aggressor through much of the fight, but he avoided the kind of brutal slugfest he endured in a unanimous decision victory over Ruslan Provodnikov in March that left him nursing a concussion.

Even so, Bradley said this decision offered no room for the kind of argument that greeted his controversial victory over Pacquiao in June of last year.

"He couldn't touch me," Bradley said. "I gave him a boxing lesson."

Marquez kept it close, and rocked the champion in the ninth, insisting he thought he'd done enough to earn the victory.

"I know I did my job and I'm happy with what I've done," said Marquez, who fell to 55-7 with one drawn and 40 knockouts. "I landed the best shots . . . to win a fight it's not always necessary to win by KO."

Marquez is no stranger to disappointing decisions. He endured two narrow defeats and a draw against Pacquiao before stunning "Pac-Man" with a sixth-round knockout in their fourth fight in December.

"I've been robbed six times in my career," Marquez said. "I clearly won the fight."

On the undercard, former champion Orlando Salido knocked out Orlando Cruz in the seventh round to regain the vacant WBO featherweight title.

Salido improved to 40-12-2 with 28 knockouts while Cruz, who made headlines as the first openly gay pro fighter, fell to 20-3-1 with 10 wins inside the distance.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Vasyl Lomachenko of Ukraine made an impressive professional debut with a fourth-round knock-out of jose Ramirez in a scheduled 10-round bout.

Lomachenko, who was born in the Odessa region, won gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. He also won world boxing titles in 2009 and 2011, along with a European championship gold medal in 2008.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Bradley eyes Pacquiao rematch in 2014

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Fight fans gathered at the lobby of the Wynn Hotel & Casino for the grand arrival of Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez, the two boxers responsible for the two consecutive losses of Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.

In an exclusive interview, Bradley said he is ready for a rematch with Pacquiao.

“That is definitely a chapter in my life that I definitely have to visit and revisit. I think the fans, everybody around the whole world wants to see that fight and they want to see who the true champion is,” he said.

Bradley showed off his rock-hard abs and muscular arms, saying he attained his muscles while on a three-month vegan diet.

Marquez and Bradley will slug it out this Saturday for the WBO welterweight championship.

While Bradley is ready to face Pacquiao again, Marquez doesn't want to fight the Filipino for a fifth time, even if it will earn him millions of dollars.

He said his knockout of Pacquiao is priceless, which remains the talk of the town among boxing enthusiasts.

“I don’t have reasons for the fifth fight. If I won a close fight or controversial decision maybe I give the fifth fight. I don’t have reasons, I win tremendous knock out and I want to keep this feeling all my life,” said Marquez.

Marquez said he trained heavily for his fight with Bradley, especially since the American boxer has remained undefeated.

“[It was] five months [of training] because if you rest maybe you lose the distance, you lose the ring. I keep training always. Five months for this fight specifically for speed and I feel very happy,” he says.

But Bradley just shrugged off Marquez’s training regimen.

“I been training for about 10 weeks. I haven't heard of any other fighter in the world training for five months especially at 40 years old. I don’t know why you need to train that long. I think its unheard of five months for a fight? I think it’s a joke,” Bradley said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

I will retire Marquez, boasts Bradley

MANILA, Philippines – Unbeaten American boxer Timothy Bradley Jr. said his deep resolve and desire to win will be his advantages when he takes on Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez in a welterweight showdown on October 12.

In his training blog for HBO, Bradley said these are the qualities that will help him in his mission to “retire the great Juan Manuel Marquez.”.

“I definitely agree that my will and determination is something which differentiates me from other fighters,” said Bradley. “I may not be the most skilled or most loved fighter, but I am a warrior and that cannot be taken from me.”

“It will take a real smart fighter to ever beat me, and I have yet to meet that man in the ring,” he added.

Bradley acknowledged that he is in for a tough time against Marquez, whom he called “the greatest Mexican fighter of his era.”

“Marquez is a late bloomer who got better and better. He is a legend… He has a great trainer in Nacho Beristain,” he said. “But they will never stop my will to win.”

“I will win because I have to win,” Bradley stressed. “It’s in my DNA.”

“I will be a bigger name because of my will to win. I have one goal – go in the ring, win, and retire the great Juan Manuel Marquez.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao warms up to talk of Marquez rematch

MANILA, Philippines – Former world champion Manny Pacquiao welcomed reports of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) possibly ordering a fifth bout between him and his long-time rival Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao said will gladly take up the fight should the WBO mandate him to face Marquez again.

"Willing tayo, gusto ko yun. Gusto kong mangyari yun," the fighting congressman of Sarangani province told "Bandila".

WBO president Francisco Valcarcel earlier said that they may sanction the fifth bout if both Pacquiao and Marquez hurdle their respective assignments.

Marquez is due for a title bout against WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley this October, while Pacquiao will be making his comeback against Brandon Rios in November.

If Marquez wins and becomes the WBO weleterwight champion, Valcarcel said it would be fitting for Pacquiao to become the Mexican’s challenger.

“If Marquez and Pacquiao both win, the World Boxing Organization regulations would view the Filipino as the challenger to Juan Manuel,” he told Boxing Scene.com.

Pacquiao said if the fight gets arranged, he will try to stage it in the Philippines.

“Hopefully dito maganap sa Pilipinas. Sisikapin natin na dito mangyari yung promotion sa Pilipinas.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Marquez hints at retirement after Bradley fight

MANILA, Philippines – Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez maintained that he isn’t inclined to a fifth fight with his Filipino rival Manny Pacquiao as he mulls his future after his title fight with Timothy Bradley this October.

“There are no plans [to fight after Bradley],” Marquez said in Bad Left Hook.

“We'll leave this commitment first, and then see. First I want to see how I feel and if I plan continue with my career."

The 40-year-old said the reason he accepted the October 12 bout is because Bradley’ WBO welterweight title is at stake and that he wants to become Mexico’s first five-division world champion.

With regards to Pacquiao, the Mexican said he would rather enjoy his knockout victory against the Filipino boxer than accept another rematch.

"I'd rather stay with the memory of that 'lucky punch' that I connected on Pacquiao. It's about pride and honor, not money,” he said.

Marquez made the statement before the WBO’s announcement that it may order a rematch between the two fighters.

WBO president Paco Valcarcel said if Pacquiao and Marquez hurdle their respective opponents, then a fifth bout is possible.

“If Marquez and Pacquiao both win, the World Boxing Organization regulations would view the Filipino as the challenger to Juan Manuel,” WBO president Francisco Valcarcel told Boxing Scene.com.

Pacquiao is set for a comeback fight against Brandon Rios in November this year.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Marquez again rejects 5th Pacquiao fight

MANILA, Philippines – Mexican champion Juan Manuel Marquez has again rejected a fifth fight against Filipino rival Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, setting his sights instead against another opponent.

Marquez, who beat Pacquiao for the first time in four tries when they fought last December, will be watching undefeated American Timothy Bradley Jr. when he fights Russian Ruslan Provodnikov on March 16 in California.

“Bradley won a controversial decision over Pacquiao, but that does not take into account that he is a good fighter,” Marquez told Boxing Scene, referring to Bradley’s hotly contested split decision win over the Filipino in June 2012.

Marquez said that while “nothing has been finalized,” a fifth fight against the Pacman would be “the last option” for him.

“There is no fight to have a fifth fight with Pacquiao,” he stressed. “We already accomplished that objective.”

Marquez knocked out Pacquiao with just one second left in the sixth round when they fought last December, in a match that has been hailed by many as the best of 2012.

Top Rank Promotions has repeatedly pushed for a fifth fight against Pacquiao, with chief executive Bob Arum even saying Marquez will receive a career-high purse for that fight.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Marquez owes us one, says Roach

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing hall-of-famer Freddie Roach insists that Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez should fight Manny Pacquiao one more time.

Despite Pacquiao’s two ring victories over Marquez in the course of their eight-year rivalry, the boxing trainer pointed out that the Filipino boxing superstar granted the Mexican three rematches.

“We gave him more than one,” stressed Roach in Boxing Scene. “I think he owes us this one.”

Pacquiao and Marquez first fought to a controversial draw in 2004. This was followed by the Filipino’s close decisions over Marquez in 2008 and 2011.

But Marquez got back at Pacquiao in their fourth clash, knocking the Filipino out cold last December.

Marquez is now mulling a possible interim bout against either WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley or former lightweight champion Brandon Rios in September.

Boxing promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao might also take an interim bout if Marquez chooses either Bradley or Rios.

But Roach said he’d prefer Marquez. “I want [him] to fight Marquez right away,” said the boxing coach.

Meanwhile, Arum said Bradley and Rios will first fulfill their upcoming assignments to join the Pacquiao-Marquez carousel.

Bradley will defend his title against Pacquiao's sparring partner Ruslan Provodnikov on March 16, while Rios will again rumble with Mike Alvarado on March 30.

"If he (Bradley) beats Provodnikov and Rios beats Alvarado, then we'll see what Manny and Marquez will do," Arum said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Marquez knows he could lose in 5th fight - analyst

MANILA, Philippines – One of the reasons why Juan Manuel Marquez has been holding back from a fifth ring encounter with Manny Pacquiao is the possibility that he could lose to the Filipino boxer, according to a boxing analyst.

According to RingTV’s Doug Fischer, the Mexican counterpuncher is aware that he might get beat if he gets in the ring again with Pacquiao.

“The Mexico City technician knows that he could lose a fifth bout, maybe by knockout,” Fischer said in Dougie’s Friday Mailbag.

In his past statements, Marquez said he wasn’t keen in fighting Pacquiao again since he already knocked out the Filipino during their fourth fight last December.

It was the Mexican’s first win against the Filipino superstar in their eight-year rivalry.

“I think for me, there is no point,” Marquez said. “We already achieved the desired result.”

Fischer cited that it took a big risk for Marquez to score the sixth-round knockout against Pacquiao.

“I agree that Marquez took a gamble that paid off by looking for the one big shot against Pacquiao in their fourth showdown, but he had to pay the price for that strategy as evidenced by his busted nose and bloody face after six rounds,” said the boxing analyst.

If Marquez agrees for a fifth fight, he’s guaranteed to earn the biggest paycheck in his storied career.

Aside from that, Fischer said, the Mexican enjoys a certain advantage going into the bout.

“He also knows that he’s got a psychological edge over the Filipino icon having just knocked his rival out and having never been stopped himself.”

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Marquez given 'other names' aside from Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – Mexican champion Juan Manuel Marquez is considering a fifth fight against rival Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines, but “Dinamita” has several other options if he chooses to reject another fight against the Pacman.

In a Boxing Scene report, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum revealed he spoke with Marquez during a visit to Mexico recently.

“I spoke with him. The fifth fight against Pacquiao is being contemplated, but there are other names that we presented to him,” Arum told Miguel Rivera.

Marquez, who stunned Pacquiao with a sixth-round knockout in their December 2012 encounter, has said in recent interviews that he sees no reason to face his rival for a fifth time.

Arum, however, believes the Mexican champion is only negotiating and has said that Marquez will likely receive a career-best purse if he chooses to fight Pacquiao again.

Among the fighters being considered as potential opponents for Marquez are: the winner of the welterweight clash between Timothy Bradley and Ruslan Provodnikov; the winner of the rematch between Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado; and unbeaten fighter Jessie Vargas.

Marquez’s co-promoter, Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions, stressed that the final decision will be up to the boxer.

“Marquez is one of the smartest fighters that our country has produced,” he said. “He’s the boss, and he gives the orders.”

“I am respectful to his family, because they are giving him a chance to fight again. It’s not up to me to make a decision for or against a Manny Pacquiao fight. I can only provide my opinion if he asks me,” Beltran added.

If “Dinamita” rejects a fifth fight against Pacquiao, Beltran said they will look for another fight.

“The only thing I am sure of right now is that he will fight again,” the promoter said. “Mexicans deserve to see him in the ring again, because he is our hero and our idol.”

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Arum meets with Marquez, promoter – report

MANILA, Philippines – Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum reportedly met with Mexican champion Juan Manuel Marquez and Zanfer Promotions boss Fernando Beltran regarding a potential fifth fight between “Dinamita” and his Filipino rival Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.

Boxing Scene cited Jose Luis Camarillo and Miguel Rivera, who reported that Arum met with Marquez and Beltran in Mexico.

“We’ll discuss things with Juan Manuel for his next fight,” Arum said. “I agree that for this year, a fifth fight between Manny Pacquiao and Marquez is a priority.”

“There is the possibility (of holding the fight in) Macau or in the Mexico City Arena,” he added.
Marquez defeated Pacquiao for the first time in their long saga last December, when he knocked out the Filipino idol with one second to go in the sixth round.

Though he considered hanging up his gloves following his sensational win, Marquez opted to continue his boxing career. Recently however, “Dinamita” said he is not keen on fighting Pacquiao for a fifth time.

“Juan Manuel understands the business of boxing,” said Arum, who has previously claimed that Marquez was only "negotiating" when he made his statement.

“A boxer is worth what he produces, and of course if there is a big fight in store for him, he is going to make a lot of money,” he added.

Arum did admit that it is possible for Pacquiao and Marquez to face other opponents, including unbeaten Americans Timothy Bradley Jr. and Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios.

The Top Rank boss also guaranteed that if Marquez fights Pacquiao for a fifth time, the Mexican stands to receive the biggest purse of his career.

“The only thing that I can say is it will be better than what it was in December,” Arum said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Arum assures Marquez of bigger pay in 5th Pacman bout

MANILA – Boxing promoter Bob Arum assured Juan Manuel Marquez that he will be paid handsomely should he agree to a fifth clash with Manny Pacquiao.

Marquez reportedly got a guaranteed $6 million in his December fight against Pacquiao, which he won via a stunning sixth-round knockout.

"Marquez made his career-high pay day the last time, and he knocked out Pacquiao, so he's not going to get less than he got the last time," said Arum in RingTV.

Despite rumors that he’s likely to go on fighting, the 39-year-old Marquez has yet to formally announce if he’ll continue his boxing career after conquering Pacquiao.

This fueled speculations that Marquez is withholding his decision to raise his stock.

But Arum believes otherwise.

He pointed out that Marquez is already financially secure, and that the purse won’t be an issue in a fifth Pacquiao fight.

"That's not a negotiating ploy. If you're Marquez, and he's a real proud guy who, unlike a lot of fighters, saved his money. So, he's got a university degree in accounting,” said the Top Rank CEO.

Marquez's trainer Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain, earlier, said that a “rich prince” has offered Marquez $15-million to fight South African boxer Zolani Marali in Dubai.

But Beristain admitted that the fight is unlikely to take place since Top Rank and Zanfer Promotions have the inside track in staging Marquez’s next fight.
 
source: abs-cbnnews.com

Arum says Pacquiao-Marquez V will happen

MANILA, Philippines – Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum guaranteed that boxing fans will see a fifth fight between great rivals Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, but does not see it happening in the United States.

In an interview with Boxing Talk, Arum stressed that “the fight is going to happen,” most likely in September.

“Manny wants to go ahead, and Marquez is still considering, but I think he’ll be fine,” Arum said. “You know their wives don’t want them to fight and all that (expletive), but I think we’ll be fine.”

Arum also told Boxing Scene that he is thinking of holding the fifth Pacquiao-Marquez fight outside of the United States because of tax issues.

“The fight will not be in Las Vegas. I don’t even think that it’s being done in the United States, because about 40% of the profits go to the government,” he said.

Marquez recently decided to continue with his fighting career and is planning to make a return fight in April.

Arum is hoping that Pacquiao will also fight in April, though he admits they are having trouble finding a venue since the “Pacman” wanted to fight outside of the United States.

“Manny wanted the April fight outside of the United States for tax reasons,” Arum said.

“(Top Rank president) Todd (duBoef) was over in Macau and we can’t get a date with the arena, which wants the fight very badly, but their arena is tied up,” he added. “Singapore is not an option, and I don’t think we can go to Manila for the fight.”

Marquez knocked out Pacquiao in the sixth round of their fourth fight last December. He contemplated hanging up his gloves after the victory, but eventually decided to hold off retirement.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao set for April tune-up, then Marquez V in Sept

MANILA – Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao is already mapping out his ring return following his shocking loss to Juan Manuel Marquez last December.

Pacquiao’s legal adviser Franklin Gacal told The Philippine Star’s Abac Cordero that the Filipino boxer wants to make his ring return in April.

But Gacal said they won't let Pacquiao go up against Marquez just yet.
 
“April is too early for that. We will get there. Manny needs to fight someone else to rebuild his confidence,” he said.



If the results are good, Gacal said they can arrange a fifth face-off between Pacquiao and Marquez in September.

“First, he wants to fight in April,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fred Sternburg, Top Rank’s publicist, clarified that Pacquiao’s mandatory suspension following his sixth-round knockout last December will only last for 90 days.

Earlier reports indicated that the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) had meted Pacquiao a 120-day mandatory suspension as a result of the devastating knockout.

But Sternburg clarified that the suspension will run only up to March 9, 2013 or 90 days after the fight.

The no-contact order will be up to February 7, 2013 or 60 days after the fight.

“Hope this clears things up,” said Sternburg.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao-Marquez V in peril?

MANILA, Philippines – It looks like Manny Pacquiao won’t be able to get his revenge against Juan Manuel Marquez as the latter’s wife is insisting it's time for the Mexican boxer to put his boxing gloves away.

Erika Marquez said she fears the possible outcome of a prolonged rivalry between her husband and Pacquiao.

“What I want is for him to retire and to devote his time to enjoying his family. When Juan fights, I suffer enough. In this fight [with Pacquiao] it was no exception,” she said in Boxing Scene.

Pacquiao has already had four tough battles with Marquez.

Although the Filipino boxer drew the first bout and won the next two on points, he suffered a huge blow in their last meeting.


Marquez tagged Pacquiao with a right to the jaw in the sixth round, inflicting the Filipino’s first knockout loss since 1996.

Erika said she understood what Jinkee Pacquiao felt when the latter saw her husband slumped, face down on the canvass.

“I was very [upset] when I saw Pacquiao's wife crying, desperate to climb into the ring. She feared the worst. I saw what she felt and I reflected, and understood her suffering. I felt her anguish when I saw that Pacquiao did not move and did not get up," said Marquez’s wife.

Erika said that extending the rivalry would do more damage to both fighters.

"Yeah, [there are a lot of] offers to continue fighting, but all of the money in the world won't buy you another life, and no money in the world will buy you another brain,” she said.

Jinkee shares the same sentiments with regard to her husband.

In an earlier interview with USA Today, Jinkee said Pacquiao already has a successful career in boxing and that he has nothing left to prove.

"He already has eight (title) belts. He can retire -- stop -- at any time. I want him to stop now. But he is the one who has the last say," she said.

"Boxers risk their lives; [some] end up in wheelchairs. I don't want that to happen to Manny," Jinkee added.

Citing the thrilling outcome of the fourth bout, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum has proposed a fifth fight between Pacquiao and Marquez.

Arum said the knockout ending proved that the fourth installment of the Pacquiao-Marquez saga was different from the previous clashes.

“This fight shows the health of the sport,” he said. “Great fight, shown all over it. The knockout happening right in front of the guy who was almost president of the United States [Mitt Romney],” he said.

“No. 5 is now the biggest fight in boxing, bigger than Pacquiao-Mayweather.”

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Marquez insists he's steroid-free

MANILA, Philippines – Juan Manuel Marquez maintained that he’s steroid-free and that he’s confident that his drug tests in Nevada will come out clean following his knockout win over Manny Pacquiao.

“I feel very happy with my training, I feel great about the tests,” Marquez told LA Times' Lance Pugmire.

“I won’t have a problem,” he declared.

Speculations came out that he might have used performance enhancing drugs (PED) as he has been working with former steroid peddler and now conditioning coach Angel “Memo” Heredia.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has collected pre-fight and post-fight urine samples from each fighter. NSAC executive director Keith Kizer said the test results will come out on December 17.

Although Marquez weighed in four pounds lighter than Pacquiao on the eve of the fight, the Mexican looked bulkier because of his muscle mass.

Marquez said he was offended by accusations of PED use, pointing out that he worked “hard for four months in Mexico."

"If I continue fighting, I’d like to do Olympic-style anti-doping tests with my opponent,” he said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com