Marquez says he will NOT fight Pacquiao again

By Boxing News - 02/15/2013 - Comments

marquez76By Chris Williams: Bob Arum of Top Rank had better start looking for alternative opponent for his fighter Manny Pacquiao to face in September because Marquez told ESPN this week he’s not going to fight Pacquiao again. He’s already fought him four times, and his KO of Pacquiao in their fourth fight last December finished their series.

It looks like Arum is going to have to find someone for Pacquiao to fight instead if he wants to keep him busy. This actually might be beneficial for Arum in the long run because if he put Pacquiao back in with Marquez, there would be a good chance that Marquez would only KO the Filipino again.

As for what direction Marquez is going in, his trainer Nacho Beristain told ESPN that they’re interested in facing a slugger like former WBA World lightweight champion Brandon Rios. That might make Arum partially happy, since he promotes Rios, and a having Marquez fight him will help make Rios a more marketable fighter for his Top Rank stable. However, it’s not the fight where Arum wanted to use Marquez.

Putting Marquez with Pacquiao again would make the most money for Arum, Marquez and Pacquiao, but what can you do when Marquez no longer wants to fight Pacquiao? Arum can’t force Marquez to take the fight, and it’s understandable why he’s tired of facing Pacquiao. He’s fought him four times, and arguably won all four. Marquez felt like he had to KO Pacquiao last December just to make sure he wasn’t put in the position where he’s on the receiving end of yet another controversial decision.

Arum will probably keep up the pressure to try and get Marquez to take the Pacquiao fight, but I can’t see it happening unless Arum starts talking a 50-50 purse split between them, and it’s pretty clear he’s not going to do that. So without Marquez, Arum will likely put Pacquiao in with either Rios or Tim Bradley because both are with his Top Rank stable. I can’t see Arum putting Pacquiao in with anyone else unless Arum signs a new fighter to his stable.



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