Marquez sets his sights on Pacquiao
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Juan Manuel Marquez didn't waste any time after defending his lightweight title before setting his sights on Round 3 with Manny Pacquiao.
Marquez stopped Michael Katsidis in the ninth round on Saturday night in Las Vegas, winning an all-action battle and certain candidate for Fight of the Year. Moments later, he turned his attention to settling the score with the man considered the best in the world.
"Obviously, Pacquiao is my priority. I'll go up to 140 (pounds), it's no problem," Marquez said. "Stop making excuses, Manny. Fight me."
The two have met twice before, and both of the bouts were thrilling. They fought to a 12-round draw in 2004, and Pacquiao won a close split decision in March 2008.
Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum said on Sunday that a third fight with Marquez is a distinct possibility, although just like everyone else, he's waiting to see whether Floyd Mayweather Jr steps into the ring against Pacquiao in what could be the richest fight in boxing history.
Other candidates include Shane Mosley, who has already put financial numbers on the table for a fight, and welterweight titleholder Andre Berto, who looked sensational in a first-round knockout of Freddy Hernandez on the Marquez undercard Saturday night.
"Mayweather is the priority, but if he doesn't want the fight for whatever reason, then there are three possibilities: Mosley, Berto and Marquez," Arum said. "All I need is two numbers at this stage to go to Pacquiao on: what guarantee they're looking for and how much per home above a certain number (on the pay-per-view)."
Arum wouldn't say what he's been offered by Mosley, but Antonio Margarito received US$3 million plus US$3 per home over 700,000 buys for his loss to Pacquiao earlier this month. Marquez received US$4 million plus US$1 per home over a million when he lost to Mayweather last year. The Top Rank boss plans to discuss a fight with Berto promoter Lou DiBella, and hopes to touch base with Marquez's people later in the week.
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