In a recent interview, world-class trainer/manager Nacho Beristain revealed that representatives of Top Rank Promotions contacted him to discuss the possibility of a third bout between his fighters, lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, and WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. “Well, they’ve already offered the fight,” he stated as he discussed the future plans of Marquez, who’s already scheduled to face Juan Diaz this summer. “Nothing official, but we did get an offer from the people at Top Rank Promotions, however, it was a miserable deal,” Beristain continued. “I won’t accept that type of offer under any circumstances.”
It’s unclear as to how “miserable” the offer really was, but it’s obvious that promoter Bob Arum is already exploring backup plans if a fight with Mayweather should fall through the cracks again. Arum has also hinted that former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito is also in the running, but he has yet to be licensed in the United States, despite having a successful return to the ring earlier this month in Mexico after his lengthy suspension. No matter who he faces next, however, Pacquiao is expected to return to the ring this November.
Interestingly enough, despite the fact that Marquez has repeatedly sought after a third bout after losing the rematch, Beristain seems to think that it’s Pacquiao who’s doing the chasing. “It’s Pacquiao that has the thorn in his side and the rock in his shoe,” he would tell Boxinqtalk’s Michael Gonzalez.. “He will leave boxing knowing that the people who follow boxing, who are experts in boxing, know he was never able to defeat Juan Manuel Marquez.” I don’t know about all of that, but I do know that if it’s not going to be Mayweather standing in the ring with Pacquiao, personally, I’d prefer it to be Marquez, especially if I’m going to have to pay $49.95 to watch it.
No comments:
Post a Comment