Nacho: Pacquiao Wants Marquez, He’s Obsessed To Win
Veteran trainer Nacho Beristain believes WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38KOs) will possibly select Juan Manuel Marquez (53-6, 39KOs) as his next opponent. In the next few days, Pacquiao is going to hold a meeting with his promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank. Arum is going to present Pacquiao with four possibilities – Lamont Peterson, Miguel Cotto, Timothy Bradley and Marquez. A June return is expected for Pacquiao.After three close fights, all smeared with controversy, Nacho expects the Filipino star to strongly consider his fighter for a fourth bout.
“Pacquiao is obsessed with beating Juan,” Nacho said.
Their last bout came on November 12th. Pacquiao won a close twelve round majority decision, with many at ringside disputing the final verdict. Nacho saw a few things that Marquez could correct for a fourth meeting.
“I thought Juan Manuel was a little slow, but he was very strong. He will work on that aspect. With more explosive speed, I’m sure Juan would have taken Pacquiao down. It was clear that Pacquiao was desperate [in the third fight], and at times he was attacking [Juan] with everything, but he couldn’t knock [Juan] out,” Nacho said.
There are several problems to prevent a fourth meeting. Marquez refuses to face Pacquiao in Las Vegas, but doesn’t have a problem with Texas. There are finances. Pacquiao has already made comments that he wants a guaranteed purse of $28 million for a fourth bout with Marquez. Marquez doesn’t have a problem with Pacquiao’s requesting a high purse, as long as both parties are taken care of. But with Floyd Mayweather Jr. reserving Cinco De Mayo weekend on HBO pay-per-view, Pacquiao’s return is forced to the month of June where a Marquez fight might not be a profitable.
By Miguel Rivera