by Ronnie Nathanielsz

The Executive Director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Keith Kizer, has indicated that Juan Manuel Marquez won’t get his wish to have non-Nevada judges officiate in his fourth fight against “Fighter of the Decade” Manny Pacquiao on December 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Marquez who has consistently claimed that he had beaten Pacquiao in their last three fights but was robbed of the decision by the judges was quoted by BoxingScene.com as saying:

"I will request that the judges for this fight will be composed of one Mexican judge, one Filipino and one neutral judge [from outside of Nevada]. This time I don't want the judges to be appointed by the Nevada Athletic Commission, who normally appoint three Americans from their staff. I do not know if my request will be processed, but I'm going to make it."

However, Marquez also said:

“[If they don't honor my request], then I'm going to fight as I did in my three previous fights - before judges appointed by Nevada. This time I hope that my victory is not taken away. They have already done this to me on three occasions, but I do not think that it will happen again. I am sure that on this occasion they are going to work with a little bit of fear, and they will give victory to whoever deserves it."

Kizer told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that he recommends the judges and referee for the fights and the NSAC Commissioners will make the final decision.

At the same time the NSAC executive director said that any of the recognized world boxing organizations - such as the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO - can submit names of officials for consideration but that the decision is up to the Commission.

Kizer also indicated that promoters “may make suggestions and objections” but that “they cannot reject” any official appointed by the NSAC.