SULAIMAN DENIES SAYING PACQUIAO IS AFRAID OF MARQUEZ
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 01 Jun 2007
WBC president Jose Sulaiman has denied a report that claimed he said Manny Pacquiao is afraid of reigning WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez after Pacquiao declined a mandatory title shot at the Mexican.
Sulaiman told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today by way of clarification that he said “it is my opinion that Pacquiao respected Marquez as the strongest champion and it was Pacquiao’s opportunity to prove to be the best super featherweight in the world.”
Sulaiman also pointed out that a title fight against Marquez would help “clear the previous draw” of May 8, 2004 when Pacquiao dropped Marquez three times in the very first round before Marquez fought back furiously and put on a boxing clinic to salvage a draw with both sides claiming their fighter should have won.
The WBC president expressed his disappointment over Pacquiao’s declining the mandatory challenger’s spot and a possible purse bid should free negotiations fail to take place saying Pacquiao was losing the chance to make “the biggest purse of his life.”
The WBC board of governors was prepared to set aside the normal purse bid rules where the champion is entitled to 75 percent and the challenger 25 percent with Sulaiman stating it would have been a 50-50 split.
Sulaiman hinted that some individuals in Team Pacquiao were after their own interests and not that of Pacquiao.
In another development Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer said he was “willing to sit down with our fighter (Pacquiao) and see if I can get a Marco Antonio Barrera or Marquez fight done.” Insisting that Top Rank promoter Bob Arum “does not hold any promotional rights to Pacquiao” and there was no need to sit down with Arum whom he accused of stealing Pacquiao and then acting as his promoter.
Schaefer told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today “if Manny wants to come and see me and honor his contract which he signed with us prior to signing an agreement with Top Rank I would certainly be open to sit down with him and try to put together any fight he (Pacquiao) wants.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Meet Jayr Raquinel: The Filipino Sensation Taking the Super Flyweight Division by Storm
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 10 Nov 2025NONITO DONAIRE HOPES TO BECOME TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Astrobio loses by TKO in 7th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MONSTER VERGIL ORTIZ JR. DESTROYS ERICKSON LUBIN IN SECOND-ROUND
Sun, 09 Nov 2025Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Shines for the Philippines on First Day of World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 09 Nov 2025P20k for 42k winners in 3rd SDSPPO
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Weights Set for Tomorrow’s Sanman Boxing Show in General Santos City
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin Set for Explosive Showdown in Fort Worth
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Ring Officials Announced for Michael Hunter Vs Eli Frankham - York Hall, 5th December
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Baseball in the Sulaimán Family
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Shields signs $8 million multi year contract with Salita Promotions
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 08 Nov 2025A TIBUTE TO VICTOR CONTE
Sat, 08 Nov 2025