GOLDEN BOY WANTS PACQUIAO-MARQUEZ
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 12 Oct 2007
Golden Boy Promotions vice president Eric Gomez says ?obviously we would like (Juan Manuel) Marquez? as the next opponent of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao but stressed it would depend on the conversations between Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and Pacquiao sometime next month.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Gomez said ?we really don?t know but Marquez has to first get past Rocky Juarez? in their title clash on November 3. Gomez said ?its going to be a tough fight. Its not as easy as a lot of people think.?
He said knowing Marquez, ?he is so competitive he is probably going to get caught up in wanting to try and knock the guy (Juarez)out because he went twenty four rounds with (Marco Antonio) Barrera. So I think he (Marquez) is going to try to go out there and prove something.?
Gomez said that Arum and Pacquiao would ?figure out what exactly they want to do but we?ve heard rumors that Manny wants to fight David Diaz? who is the WBC lightweight champion and is also handled by Arum.
The Golden Boy Promotions executive discussed the problem of promoting a Pacquiao-Marquez rematch which Pacquiao?s close friend and confidant Rex ?Wakee? Salud says is caused by Marquez asking for too much money even though he was not the big draw. However, what Salud failed to note is that Marquez is the world champion who had fought Pacquiao to a draw and beaten Barrera but Barrera still got the same $2 million purse as Pacquiao in their rematch.
Gomez said that ?in Pacquiao?s defense he is the star right now. The No.1 guy in the division. He?s the draw.? But Gomez emphasized that ?in boxing there is always a way to work things out. I am confident since we had a very good promotion with Top Rank, everything went smooth, I think that if we go and do a Marquez fight I am sure Richard (Schaefer) and Bob (Arum) can work things out and make something that is going to be a positive, good show for everybody.?
He said Golden Boy Promotions was prepared ?to wait and see.?
Pacquiao arrived early yesterday morning aboard a Philippine Airlines flight from Los Angeles to a hero?s welcome which was somehow dampened by his failure to join the usual motorcade through the heart of Manila where he had received a tumultuous welcome from millions of residents after previous victories against Barrera and Erik ?El Terrible? Morales among others.
Pacquiao and his handlers claimed nobody from City Hall had coordinated with them regarding the motorcade which was disputed by those responsible for making the arrangements. Pacquiao also didn?t use the presidential suite reserved for him at the Manila Hotel which is also something he did when one of his benefactors Lito Atienza was Mayor. Pacquiao used to ride in an open vehicle with Atienza, his son and defeated mayoralty candidate Ali Atienza and the former Mayor?s son-in-law congressman Miles Roces who sought to bask in the limelight.
Pacquiao instead visited Atienza, now Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources at his Quezon City office before proceeding to Malacanang for a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who was this time joined by Speaker Jose de Venecia. President Arroyo who has all along shown her care and concern for Pacquiao referred to the boxing icon as a ?world-class Filipino and a champion in our hearts.?
The President told Pacquiao ?the military put its guns down and the crime rate went down during your fight---your promise to fight every day if only to unite the nation is beautiful. We thank you for that.?
As late as 5:00 p.m. Manila City Hall officials and employees were still gathered in the quadrangle with banners, streamers and a brass band hoping that Pacquiao would be able to find time to at least visit City Hall.
Mayor Alfredo Lim who despite Pacquiao?s open support for Ali Atienza in the May 14 elections had prepared the usual warm welcome and motorcade for Pacquiao and showed no bitterness that the people of Manila where Pacquiao is an adopted son were effectively snubbed. The giant broadcast network ABS-CBN quoted Mayor Lim as saying ?I respect Manny?s decision. He?s the champion after all.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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