JACA-MARQUEZ TITLE FIGHT IS OFF
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 01 Nov 2006
Jimrex Jaca’s manager Rex “Wakee” Salud says he has “committed” to have the Philippine super featherweight champion fight on the undercard of the Grand Finale rubber match between Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao and Erik “El Terrible” Morales at the Thomas & Mack Center on November 18 and as a result the once postponed WBO title fight against Juan Manuel Marquez is off.
In a long distance telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Salud, a close friend and reported confidant of Pacquiao claimed Golden Boy Promotions “did not notify me about the re-scheduling of the title fight after it was cancelled” last October 21 because of claims that Jaca couldn’t get his B1 visa on time from the US embassy. Salud said “they suddenly announced the fight will push through” which apparently caught him by surprise.
Salud said when the fight did not take place as scheduled on October 21 he tried to schedule a Philippine title defense on November 25 against Baby Lorona Jr but that fell through and he sought the help of Pacquiao and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum to include Jaca on the Pacquiao-Morales undercard. Salud claimed they dropped one scheduled fight to make way for Jaca who would fight at a catch-weight of 131 pounds.
While acknowledging that fighting Marquez for the world title was “a big opportunity” Salud said he had “committed” that Jaca would fight on the Pacquiao-Morales card and indicated he couldn’t pullout.
Jaca who was in Dumaguete City according to Salud and weighed 138 pounds because he had stopped training would have no difficulty getting back into shape and making the 131 pound limit.
Should Salud push through with the Jaca fight on the Bob Arum promotion it is likely to further worsen the bitter rivalry between Arum and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions which appears to have twice suffered because of the cancellation of Jaca’s fight against Marquez. The title fight which was originally billed as the main event and a pay-per-view attraction on HBO was moved to November 25 and also scheduled on HBO but this time on its After Dark boxing show.
One of the complications resulting from the withdrawal of Jaca is that Golden Boy Promotions had petitioned for his B1 working visa for the Marquez fight and will almost surely inform the US embassy that the fight won’t take place and request that the visa be cancelled which would force Top Rank to obtain a visa for the Filipino southpaw.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez
Fri, 09 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLARESSA SHIELDS vs. LANI DANIELS SATURDAY, JULY 26 * LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
Fri, 09 May 2025Unbeaten Anthony Velazquez pitched shutout at home in Springfield
Fri, 09 May 2025TYSON FURY VOTED THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOXER IN THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO BRITISH FANS
Fri, 09 May 2025Undefeated super middleweight contender Darius Fulghum preparing to ‘Make a big splash’ vs. Bek Melikuziev
Fri, 09 May 2025OKC Routs Denver; 149-106, Ties Series; Semis Series in East Remain Topsy-turvy as Boston Goes Down 0-2 With 91-90 Loss to NY
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 08 May 2025SHAW SENDS A MESSAGE IN HUNT FOR UK OPEN GLORY | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Thu, 08 May 2025WBO presents the Amanda Serrano Championships
Thu, 08 May 2025GM Antonio faces tough competition in ASEAN Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 08 May 2025Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 07 May 2025JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
Wed, 07 May 2025CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wed, 07 May 2025Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 06 May 2025Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
Tue, 06 May 2025The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
By Eric Armit, Tue, 06 May 2025