Boxing
Cinco de Mayo showdown between Pacquiao, Marquez a possibility
AFP/Jay Directo
If Manny Pacquiao opts to fight on May 5, expect it to be against his Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez.
Top Rank chief Bob Arum will spend a few days in Manila starting Tuesday to discuss wih Pacquiao the options for his much-awaited ring return. Arum, the 80-year-old Hall of Fame promoter, couldn’t say exactly when Pacquiao will fight.
Arum said he will give Pacquiao two choices: May and June.
Aside from Marquez, others on the short list are Tim Bradley, Miguel Cotto and Lamont Peterson.
Bradley and Cotto are also under Top Rank like Pacquiao, while Peterson suddenly came into the mix after he carved out a win over touted British fighter Amir Khan.
The May 5 date is extra-special for Mexicans since it is the fabled Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Through the years, promoters have staged big fights in Las Vegas in early May to lure Mexican fight fans.
If Pacquiao doesn’t choose Marquez, he could still fight in May, but certainly not on the first week.
Arum said that if Pacquiao wants it on May 5, it is logical that it’ll be against Marquez.
Team Pacquiao members are no longer keen on seeing a fourth fight between their boss and the Mexican counter-puncher, insisting that Pacquiao has nothing else to prove, having scored two wins over Marquez.
