Monday, November 26, 2007 Pacman writes ‘no fear’ vs. Marquez
FILIPINO boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao refuted the claim of Juan Manuel Marquez that he is scared to face the Mexican WBC super-featherweight champion in a rematch.
Pacquiao said in his weekly column at philboxing.com that he is in no way scared to face Marquez in a rematch.
“Bakit naman ako maduwag? Mula na maging boxer ako, wala akong inurungang laban, kahit sino basta katimbang lang, fight ako. I am a boxer and my job is to fight.
‘Yun kay Marquez darating tayo diyan, inaayos lang ang mga bagay-bagay para matuloy ang rematch namin. Kaya nga may negotiation para maisaayos ang lahat,” said Pacquiao. (Why should I be scared? Since I became a boxer, I feared no one, I fight anybody as long as we are on the same weight class.
The rematch with Marquez will soon come, there are things that needed to be corrected that is why there is a negotiation to make things right.)
Pacquiao arrived in the US last Sunday and will join Bob Arum in Las Vegas and at the same time finish the negotiations that await formal signing of contract.
This meeting will determine his next opponent for the March 15 schedule at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Resort Casino.
The choices has narroed down to WBC lightweight champion David Diaz and Marquez, but Arum prefers Diaz at the 135-lb. limit, not only business-wise but to make Pacquiao comfortable with the weight issues.
Diaz, on the other hand, who defended his belt by beating Erik Morales last August in Chicago, is looking for his big payday since he only earned $350,000 purse when he fought “El Terrible” at his hometown.
However, a Marquez rematch is what many people want to watch, but that would depend mainly on the outcome of the negotiation between Arum and the Golden Boy Promotions, which also owns the right to promote Pacquiao. (RCM)
