Bob Arum hopeful of Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez 4 – Boxing News
Top Rank’s Bob Arum is head over heels learning that Manny Pacquiao might just say yes to a fourth encounter against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez. Although unofficially Pacquiao has confirmed to fight Marquez, fans all around the world are still counting
on Arum to reveal the news.
While it is not confirmed whether Pacquiao is willing to face Marquez or not, Arum has established the fact that Pacquiao’s next fight will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on December 8, in an interview with ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael.
“It's at the MGM. The eighth (of December) is for sure. Vegas is for sure,” said Arum during the interview.
On the other hand, reports from unauthorised sources close to Pacquiao have revealed that the former WBO welterweight titlist has agreed to fight Marquez. If so, then Pacquiao will be facing Marquez for a fourth time, after successfully defeating the Mexican
twice.
Pacquiao and Marquez have been in the ring together thrice. Their first match ended up in a tie, the second one was won by Pacquiao via unanimous decision and Pacquiao won the third showdown as well but via majority decision.
Their last fight became a centre of controversy when most analysts and fans believed Marquez had won the show. Therefore, according to Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s adviser and friend, the Filipino is more inclined towards defeating Marquez once again instead
of going for a rematch against Timothy Bradley, the current WBO welterweight titlist.
“We're having a meeting about Manny's next fight and to get everything finalized. My goal is to finalize the Marquez fight, but I have to meet with (Koncz),” revealed Bob Arum, before heading for a meeting with Michael Koncz to decide Pacquiao’s next foe.
On the other hand, Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach feels uncomfortable with the Filipino heading into the ring with Marquez again. According to Roach, Marquez has been Pacquiao’s toughest foe to date. He added that no matter what he tells Pacquiao to do,
the Filipino does what he feels like when he is against Marquez.
For now, we are still waiting for the official announcement by Arum regarding the fight.
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