IT'S MARQUEZ AFTER ALL
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 01 Dec 2007
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao proved he isn?t scared of anybody by picking dangerous WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez as opponent in a much-awaited rematch at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino on March 15.
Once and for all the return bout with settle an old score last May 8, 2004 when Pacquiao dropped Marquez three times in the first round but hampered by leg cramps and looking for a one-punch knockout couldn?t finish the job allowing Marquez to come back with some tremendous counter-punching to salvage what to some was a controversial draw.
Some boxing writers who claimed they were confident Pacquiao would junk a Marquez rematch in favor of moving up to the lightweight division to fight David Diaz who is also handled by Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum, failed to reckon the negotiating genius of Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer and the willingness of Marquez to make concessions to get the fight done. As Golden Boy vice president Eric Gomez said some two weeks ago ?if anybody can get this rematch done its Richard.?
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Arum himself paid tribute to Schaefer saying ?I thought Richard handled the situation very, very well so we could get this done because the Marquez people, Mr. ( Nacho) Beristain is extraordinarily difficult in negotiations but Schaefer was able o handle it.?
Now that the fight?s been done Arum said ?this should be a good one. Everybody is looking forward to it and everybody worked hard to get it done. Right now it?s the biggest fight that Manny could have.? Looking ahead, Arum said Pacquiao ?will have plenty of time in June or July for him to go up to fight for the lightweight championship. He disclosed that Diaz would fight on the undercard. Arum stressed however that a Pacquiao win over Marquez won't come easy. ?This is a very tough fight and he ( Pacquiao) knows that and is talking about coming in to start his training in LA in January, none of this Cebu nonsense.?
Arum stressed ?its certainly much better for him to train at Wild Card.?
The Top Rank promoter who is remarkably fit despite being in his mid-seventies said he may take the long flight and visit the Philippines for Pacquiao?s 29th birthday celebrations on December 17 but it would depend on his schedule. At the same time Arum revealed ?I might very well come over if I can get him to go back with me for the press conference on December 20.? We learned earlier in the week that Pacquiao planned to spend Christmas and New Year in the US with his family.
Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach who had pushed for the Marquez rematch was pleased at Pacquiao?s decision and said ?I think it?s a good fight for us but its going to be a tough fight. It won't be as easy as it looks and it will depend on how he trains. Manny told me he?s gonna be eight weeks here and do our work. He knows.? Roach credited Pacquiao for deciding to fight Marquez saying ?its the right fight for him.?
WBC president Don Jose Sulaiman was elated when we called him at his home in Mexico City saying Pacquiao ?made the right decision. I am very happy. He will have a great opportunity. He is much younger (than Marquez), he is very strong. If he doesn?t try to knock out Marquez with one punch like he did in the first fight then it will be a different story.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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