Marquez-Pacquiao Could be the Biggest PPV Rival

Juan Manuel Marquez courageously rallied from being knocked down three times in the first round to gain a draw with Manny Pacquiao in 2004. In 2008, the two met again in a second Fight of the Year contender, with Pacquiao pulling out a very close split decision victory. It was the last time that Manny faced any real resistance in a fight.

On November 12, they'll do it again. All that remains are the red tape, as Marquez has signed the contract. Over the years, Marquez has insisted he deserved the win in both of the two previous fights, and finally he gets his long-chased third shot at the Filipino Champ. Pacquiao may not feel quite like Marquez does, but this will also mark the first time since the Marquez rematch that there's no love lost between Manny and his coming opponent.

And Marquez still isn't quiet about how he feels:

"I will beat him, and I will do it for all of the Mexican people. It will be a tough fight, but I will win again just like I did before in 2004 and 2008."


Bad blood and past controversy will have to sell this fight, combined with the reality that Marquez has been Pacquiao's rival over 24 rounds. And I think that can sell this fight. When you put that together with the truth that Pacquiao has a enormous fanbase, and Marquez has a great built-in fanbase, you could be looking at a remarkable pay-per-view performance. For all of its faults as a fight, the media push for Pacquiao vs Mosley proved to work, resulting in a reported 1.3 million buys, Pacquiao's biggest PPV sale to date.

"But what about the bad fight?" As much as it might pain some, "bad" major event pay-per-view fights have yet to prove out as a reason in future PPV sales. It just never does happen. People buy the push and the hype, every time. And Marquez can be unpleasant -- which can sell. He's not going to spend months hugging Manny and complimenting his great abilities. He's going to talk about beating him, period. This could be a total 180 from the Mosley pressers.

If handled right, this fight could be a huge PPV hit.

Pacquiao Vs Marquez Trilogy is Official, Top Rank Gets The Upper Hand

Pacquiao-Marquez fight is now official. The Filipino Champ will face old rival and reigning lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Top Rank met today with Marquez and comes out with the deal.

As many know, Golden Boy Promotions had the right to match any competing promoters' offers for a Marquez fight, but GBP simply could not match what Top Rank offered here, though they did try to get creative. When the fight was thought to be Marquez getting $5 million for a 147-pound fight with Pacquiao, they offered $5 million for Marquez to face Saul "Canelo" Alvarez at the same weight.

And when the weight for the fight dipped down to 144 pounds, Golden Boy well thought-out involving Victor Ortiz. eventually, nothing was enough, and Golden Boy couldn't match the latest reported offer, which is $5 million for Marquez at a 144-pound catchweight, with a $10 million Money at stake for a fourth fight between the two if Marquez upsets Pacquiao in November.

The fight has seemed like a completed deal for about a week now, and the original offer by Top Rank was sent to Golden Boy's lawyers even before Pacquiao faced Shane Mosley on May 7, though Bob Arum and the company refused to discuss in public the offer. Now it's official, and Arum says that Golden Boy has signed off on everything.
A television outlet has not been formally announced, but one would expect both Showtime PPV and HBO PPV to make serious offers. The world of televised boxing right now is a lot brighter if you're the network with Manny Pacquiao in your corner. If nothing is announced soon, a telling sign could be which network -- if either -- makes a play to air Marquez's scheduled July 2 tune-up fight with David Diaz.

So now that it's a done deal, what's your feeling on this fight?

Pacquiao vs Marquez III will be at 145 lbs

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will face Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez in a 145-pound catch weight fight if proposed by the press, Pacquiao's adviser Michael Koncz said.

Marquez, who fought Pacquiao in two tight battles, reportedly asked the Filipino champion to go down to 143 lbs to make their third fight.

Koncz, however, said Pacquiao Marquez fight not a loss any less than 145 lbs.

"It was 145, not 143. We have general discussed with [Top Rank CEO] Bob Arum, but we sit down, Manny and me, in a decision," said Koncz on BoxingScene.com.

Pacquiao, who recently defended his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against Shane Mosley, is currently fighting to 147 lbs.

Marquez, the reigning WBO and World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion, is considered by many experts as the best opponent for Pacquiao fight in the absence of the pound-for-pound great Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The Mexican Pacquiao first met in 2004 in a battle that ended in a controversial draw.

They fought again four years later, when Pacquiao eked out a split decision to remove Marquez WBC super featherweight title.

Arum is currently in the third fight between two boxers to settle.

Koncz Arum said they just wait for the options available to fight Marquez.

"I do not think there is a rush to do it," said Koncz. "Let Manny have some rest and spend some time with his family after spending long, hard week of training camp. We will not make a decision until this week."