By Jhonny Gonzalez
WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez feels very good about his chances to beat Manny Pacquiao at the catch-weight of 144-pounds. This past Monday, Marquez accepted a revised offer from Top Rank to face Pacquiao on November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Marquez and Pacquiao fought to a draw in 2004 and then Pacquiao won a controversial twelve round split decision in the 2008 rematch.
The only thing standing in the way of Marquez meeting Pacquiao is Golden Boy Promotions, who have the ability to prevent the trilogy fight by matching Top Rank's offer with another opportunity. Marquez does not expect them to match the offer, which includes a catch-weight of 144, a $5 million dollar guarantee and an $10 million dollar guarantee on the rematch.
"I sent [the offer] to Golden Boy Promotions so they can decide what to do. There were definitely things that I liked [in the offer]. Beyond everything, people know that a third fight [with Pacquiao] is my dream. This time there are very good conditions for the fight, like the weight and salary," Marquez told Sal Rodriguez.
"Golden Boy has the right to match the offer. I was with them for a long time but I do not think the conditions exist to match the economics of the pay-per-view - but they do have the last word and I have to wait. I already accepted the offer, and now we must wait to see what [Golden Boy] thinks."
Besides the weight of 144, there is a clause that fines Pacquiao for failing to make the contract weight. The Filipino star would have to pay Marquez $1 million dollars for every pound above the contract limit of 144. In addition, Marquez would receive $5 dollars for every pay-per-view home, if sales exceed 700,000.
Trainer/manager Nacho Beristain tells Rodriguez that he shares the same dream as Marquez, and believes his fighter has Pacquiao's number. In 2009, Marquez faced Floyd Mayweather Jr. at a 144 catch-weight, but the boxer never made that weight. Instead Mayweather came in at 146 and refused to be re-weighed on the day of the fight. Nacho speculates that Mayweather weighed at least 150 or more on the day of the bout and it gave him a big advantage over Marquez, who weighed in at 142.
"The dreams of Juan Manuel Marquez are also my dreams. After 24 rounds I think Pacquiao has not demonstrated his superiority over Marquez," Nacho said. "What happened when he fought Floyd Mayweather Jr., is [Mayweather] had a big weight advantage, and from what we've seen of Manny Pacquiao, has never gets above 150-pounds and that's what matters. On the day of the fight, both of them will [rehydrate] evenly."
Marquez agrees with his trainer - "That time, it was the weight and the style. Floyd does not fight, and Pacquiao likes to come forward. We benefit from Pacquiao's style; that is something that we will use."