SULAIMAN GIVES PACQUIAO SIX MONTHS BEFORE MARQUEZ
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 19 Apr 2007
WBC president Jose Sulaiman says he has given Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao a six month break to campaign for a congressional seat in May before facing reigning super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez in a mandatory title fight.
In an overseas telephone conversation from his home in Mexico City with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Sulaiman said Marquez would be allowed one more title defense before the eagerly awaited rematch with Pacquiao.
Sulaiman who was at special ringside for Pacquiao’s eighth round KO victory over previously undefeated but unknown Jorge Solis said the Pacquiao people had spoken to him and told him they were “very happy to fight for the WBC title but they needed some time because he is running for congressional seat and he needs time and we decided to give him enough time - about six months.”
The WBC president will keep Pacquiao as the official challenger while authorizing one more title defense by Marquez which is expected to be on September 15 as previously disclosed to Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today by Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer who said the date had been agreed upon with HBO. Sulaiman said “we cannot freeze Marquez on something that he is not responsible for.”
Sulaiman said that after six months the WBC “will order the fight even if the courts have not made a decision because we will then go to a purse offer. Pacquiao and Marquez will love it because its an open offer and there will be a lot of money.”
Despite the legal battle between Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank’s Bob Arum over the promotional rights to Pacquiao who first signed a seven fight contract with Oscar De La Hoya’s outfit in mid-September and then signed a four-fight deal with Arum two months later Sulaiman said “believe me that the fight will happen.”
At the same time the WBC president said a rematch between Pacquiao and Marquez was “much more important” than a rematch with Barrera. He said Barrera was “nothing any more. He was knocked out by Pacquiao very badly while Marquez after going down three times in the first round fought back in a fabulous fight.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026“Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
Thu, 05 Feb 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026