By Michael Marley

I think Top Rank's CEO, Bob Arum, is sending a subliminal message out to fight fans. Reading between the lines, I see the message as this: Get ready for the inevitable Juan Manuel Marquez-Mannny Pacquaio trilogy, maybe as soon as November.

On Friday, as the Top Rank Head Honcho was packing his suitcase for yet another Pacquiao inspection tour in the Philippines, I spoke to the 79-year-old promoter and mentioned that it is widely believed that Marquez's contract with Golden Boy Promotions fully expires on March 20, and also maks the end of a 30-day period in which Golden Boy could retain its promotional status with Marquez.

"I have not talked to Marquez since the night of the second fight with Manny," Arum said. "I've been told by some people his contract is ending but I never spoke to Marquez. I will take it up with Pacquiao. I wouldn't do anything along those lines without speaking to Manny first. I would want to hear what Manny has to say, what he thinks about it."

First up for Pacquiao, on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, is Sugar Shane Mosley, who at 39 is not much older than Juan Manuel, who is 38.