GIVE SE?OR MARQUEZ DUE RESPECT
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 25 May 2014
FUNNY how Pacquiao-Marquez 5, almost a certainty less than a week ago, has suddenly appeared headed for the rocks after the Mexican legend known as Dinamita scored a masterful conquest of former world champion Mike Alvarado.
Didn?t they bill the Marquez-Alvarado bout as an elimination for the challenger to Manny Pacquiao, the newly reinstated WBO welterweight champion?
In a snap, Top Rank has been proposing rock-hard Ruslan Provodnikov, reigning WBO light welterweight titlist, for Pacquiao?s foe in his next bout booked in Macau this November.
**
For the record, Pacquiao-Marquez 5 soared as the hottest bout in the boxing horizon after the latest thumping dealt the dream fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Himself speaking, the respected Jim Lampley said a fifth edition of the Pacquiao-Marquez fiery duel should shine as another classic, rich in combative craft and competence.
Naturally, there was astonishment after Marquez, poised to go for a fifth division world title win, suddenly turned cold after having put up a splended performance in winning the supposed eliminator (over Alvarado).
**
Something untoward had obviously happened in the backdoor negotiations.
A ready suspect was, of course, the size of the purse offered for Marquez?s next fight.
Bob Arum errand boy Michael Koncz swore Marquez, after having agreed to a measly $1.4 Million take in the Alvarado bout, should be happy enough with less than $5 Million in his next outing under Top Rank.
As a result, Marquez asked to be allowed to relax and enjoy his family, before announcing his next plan.
**
Meanwhile, chief Marquez handler Nacho Beristain, all too silent before the Alvarado outing, suddenly repeated his old refrain about the uselessness of a fifth encounter with Pacquiao.
There was nothing more to prove, Beristain stressed.
There are however other troublesome factors that should be tackled.
**
For Top Rank, it should give due respect to Marquez by paying a bigger purse which he deserves.
Knowing Arum, they should be able to clear the dollar hump in no time.
The bigger problem could be with Team Marquez itself.
There?s a published suspicion that Marquez?s chief trainer did stress his refusal for another bout with Pacquiao following a reported demand for random drug testing in the next Top Rank mainer slated in Macau in November.
**
It was not clear if the demand for the random blood and urine tests came from Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach.
Anyway, they owe it to Marquez to clear the air once and for all.
By allowing Marquez to do combat against Pacquiao in November, while agreeing to random drug testing which was never done in the Marquez-Alvarado bout, Beristain would also help disperse growing suspicion that Marquez had profited subnormally from the assistance of the expert performance enhancer Memo Heredia in several past bouts, including the one in December 2012 against Pacquiao.
**
Heredia, who was not around when Marquez lost to Timothy Bradley last year, had been observed to be quite visible in the Marquez camp in the run-up to last week?s clash with Alvarado.
Arum paying the right purse and Beristain agreeing to random drug testing, are two moves that should give Marquez, a living legend and future Hall of Famer, the respect boxing owes him.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 SEPTEMBER 2025: Nunez Outpoints Diaz; Iglesias Stops Shishkin; Valdez, Conlan Register Wins in Return
By Eric Armit, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dante Kirkman Stays Undefeated Triumphing with Dominant Unanimous Decision Win
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dream fight for Steven Sumpter vs. Undefeated Bek Nurmaganbet This Wednesday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas during ‘Canelo vs. Crawford’ Week
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez and Malachi Georges Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Five of World Boxing Championships
Tue, 09 Sep 2025GM candidate Ronald Dableo's squad rules Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso Inter-Barangay Chess Team Tournament, pockets P150,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Saggap, Manayon top Heritage Aquathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Rizal Memorial Coliseum: The Arena That Endured War and Forged Generations of Filipino Greats
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 09 Sep 2025“The Homecoming” turned into Coronation for Marco Romero
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz Speaks After Pushing Eduardo Nunez to the Limit in Thrilling War – A Potential Fight of the Year
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Santisima Wins But Vicelles Loses; Suarez-Navarrete Rematch Hangs in the Balance?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Locked & loaded for Lewis Crocker rematch, Paddy Donovan has prepared to be crowned the new IBF Welterweight World Champion
Mon, 08 Sep 2025Robby Gonzales Advances to Round of 16 with Win Over Cuba
Mon, 08 Sep 2025James Padua rules Marikina rapid chess championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 08 Sep 2025Remembering Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde: A Pilgrimage of Gratitude
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sun, 07 Sep 2025Hometown Triumph: Oscar Valdez Defeats Ricky Medina by Decision
Sun, 07 Sep 2025