Boxing’s current pound-for-pound king, Manny Pacquiao, and Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez are in the process of signing contracts to fight at a 144-pound catch weight in November, promoter Bob Arum confirmed Tuesday morning.
Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions took part in negotiations Monday in an attempt to move one step closer to a November bout.
In order for the fight to be finalized, Golden Boy must provide “approval and consent” after Marquez signs the contract, according to The Los Angeles Times.
“We met on various issues,” Arum acknowledged. “We had to adjust certain things, but I’m not permitted to go into details. They have released their objections.”
With negotiations between both sides heating up, Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz raised controversy by perpetuating rumors that the first boxer to become the lineal champion in four different weight classes has been hand-picking less-than-stellar opponents.
“I think that if we fight Juan Manuel Marquez 20 times that it will always end in controversy,” he openly admitted to BoxingScene.com. “It’s been shown that if you knock the guy down that many times, he’s still very resilient and he gets back up and he’s got Manny figured out.”
Koncz added, “I think that it’s a very difficult fight and that’s why I need to make certain that the financial rewards for Manny are valid enough to take that fight.”
Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) and Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KOs) have fought on two prior occasions, with both bouts resulting in controversial outcomes. They fought to a draw in May 2004, and Pacquiao won a highly disputed March 2008 rematch via split decision.