Promoter: Manny Pacquiao should fight Juan Manuel Marquez again
The promoter for Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez proposes that Manny Pacquiao should dismiss a rematch against Timothy Bradley in the fall and instead meet Marquez for a fourth time.
“I’m speaking for myself, but it’s a logical thing, and it makes more sense,” promoter Fernando Beltran told The Times in a Friday night telephone interview. “It’s not official, but I believe it’s the fight the fans want more.
“And I know Manny will like the fight for the fans.”
Pacquiao was upset in a controversial split-decision for Palm Springs’ Bradley on Saturday at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Although several veteran fight observers at ringside scored the bout in the 9-3 to 11-1 range in Pacquiao’s favor, judges Duane Ford and C.J. Ross scored it seven rounds to five (115-113) for Bradley.
Pacquiao said afterward that he “100%” believed he had won the fight.
While the Filipino superstar does have a clause in the Bradley contract that would allow him to force a rematch for the World Boxing Organization title in the fall, Pacquiao (54-4-2) has engaged in three narrow battles against his rival Marquez.
Promoter Beltran argues Pacquiao-Marquez IV is a more entertaining option than another bout against Bradley, although Pacquiao promised he would become a “warrior” in that bout and not leave the outcome to the judges again.
“The logical thing for the sport is for Manny and Juan to fight,” Beltran said. “I will work very hard to make this fight happen.”
Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum declined to comment on Beltran’s push.
Beltran said neither he nor Marquez has yet reached out to Pacquiao, “but we will in the next couple of weeks.”
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