Friday, January 12, 2007 WBC OKs Barrera-Marquez tiff
THE much anticipated rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera will have to wait.
Yesterday, the Word Boxing Council (WBC) approved the fight of Barrera and Pacquiao against different foes, saying “it has run into a very serious problem in the division due to the lawsuits that Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank Inc. have filed against each other.”
In a report posted at their website, WBC approved Barrera’s voluntary defense of his super featherweight title against fellow Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.
“Meanwhile the WBC authorizes the defense of the international super-featherweight title between Manny Pacquiao and Injin Chi or someone else, to be held in Macao, China, as it has been announced,” the report said.
If Barrera beats Marquez, WBC said he is committed to make a mandatory defense against Pacquiao, and the free negotiations will start one day after the respective fights. If no agreement is reached, a purse bid will be made after 21 days.
WBC also said the even if the issue is going to the courts, both Barrera and Pacquiao must fight and if Barrera refuses, he will be stripped of his title. (ML)
