by Jhonny Gonzalez
There are multiple reports in Mexico which suggest that WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez avoided finalizing an agreement for an April 9 fight with Erik Morales in order to become a promotional free agent. One report, speaking to an anonymous source, was quoted as saying that Marquez's contract with Golden Boy Promotions expires in the near future, and the fight with Morales would have given Golden Boy a multi-fight extension on Marquez.
There is now speculation among the Mexican press that Marquez is possibly going to follow the same path as former champion Shane Mosley, who left Golden Boy to secure a major fight with Manny Pacquiao on May 7. Marquez has been chasing a trilogy fight with Pacquiao since their 2008 rematch. Pacquiao is promoted by Golden Boy's business rival, Top Rank, and the two companies have not done business with each other since 2009. Members of Marquez's camp refused to comment on the situation.
The source was quoted in one report as saying - "He is very, very unhappy with them. They have painted his picture incorrectly. He is willing to sign to fight Morales, but they want him to be hooked in to a long-term promotional deal, and he doesn't feel that that's right. He doesn't want to do it and that's where they've come to a parting of the ways. Because his contract with Golden Boy will be over at the end of the month."