By Mark Vester

Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank see a trilogy bout between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez as something that has to happen if both fighters continue to win. He could even see the fight taking place in early 2009.

They first met in 2004, a bout that saw Marquez get knocked down three times in the first-round and then battle back to pull out a twelve-round draw. The March 2008 rematch saw another close fight with Pacquiao's third-round knockdown of Marquez being the difference in the scoring to win a split decision.

Pacquiao is up for a third fight if Arum gives him the green light.

"It was a good fight [speaking about the rematch]," Pacquiao told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "I've watched the tape several times, and it was a very tough fight, one of my toughest. But I think I won. It's up to my promoter [regarding a third fight]. But yeah, I'll fight him again."

Pacquiao meets David Diaz for the WBC lightweight title this Saturday in Las Vegas. Marquez has also made the trip to lightweight and takes on Joel Casamayor on September 13, also in Las Vegas. Now that both fighters have made the move to 135-pounds, Arum feels a third meeting has a whole new storyline to it.

"It makes sense to wait because we'll have new elements to promote," Arum said. "With both fighters at 135, there's a lot more conjecture. Now, it's a real story."

Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, told the paper that he sees no reason as to why a third fight couldn't happen at 135 if both guys win their upcoming fights.

"He has to get by Casamayor first, and that won't be easy because Casamayor has that awkward style," Roach said. "But if Manny wins and Marquez wins, sure, I can see them fighting next year."

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