By James Blears

Juan Manuel Marquez’s next defense of his World Boxing Council Super Featherweight title MUST be against mandatory challenger Manny Pacquiao.

That was the unequivocal message of WBC President Jose Sulaiman in his first major press conference, following the 45th Convention, in Manila.

Manny himself has just mentioned that a rematch with Juan is now most likely. Don Jose however chose to put it a tad stronger by stressing:

“The WBC ruled the mandatory defense of Marquez against Pacquiao. If they do something else, it’s not the WBC’s  position, and it’s not the WBC’s expectation! We expect that Marquez and Pacquiao fight!”

Manny was a guest of honor at the WBC Convention in his home country and mobbed by people asking about his next fight. Don Jose warned: “The money and the lack of understanding by Pacquiao is that history will not remember the opinion of the people saying he was the most dramatic and the best pound. History will remember the champion of the world.

“I think that the Convention of the WBC in Manila opened Manny’s eyes, because he saw the greatness of the organization. He saw the national demand in the Philippines itself, asking him to fight for the Title. And I believe that’s made him change his mind. And I believe that he’s going to fight Marquez.”

Don Jose also discounted any notion that the fight would be contested at a catch-weight, emphasizing it will be for the Super Featherweight title at that stipulated weight, of 130-pounds.

Manny has insisted that he gains the largest slice of the purse money even though Juan Manuel is the Champion. Manny’s superstar status is gaining momentum all the time and he is the hottest draw in boxing when it comes to the lower weight divisions.

Don Jose reacted by commenting: “That is a point of view, only to get more money, and it seems Manny is desperate for money. But I think reality is different today than it was before. I think he now understands that he’s got to go for the Championship.”

In contemplating who has the most to prove and the most to lose between Pacquiao and Marquez, Don Jose replied: “Pacquiao, because he believes, and many people believe that he will defeat Marquez for sure. But that’s a wrong estimation, because Marquez got up from the canvas three times in the first round to reach a draw.”

Manny who started boxing life as a light flyweight is also keen to take on WBC lightweight champion David Diaz. Don Jose who’s insisting on Marquez first, nevertheless agreed saying:

“If David Diaz wants to take that fight as an optional defense, the WBC will accept it. We cannot oppose this, because Manny Pacquiao is a very important challenger and it would be a great fight. Manny’s a very strong fighter. He’s no way limited to Super Feather. I think he can fight in both divisions easily. He has the power.”