By Lem Satterfield
Golden Boy Promotions is pushing for Juan Manuel Marquez to replace Antonio Margarito on November 13th, and face Manny Pacquiao in a trilogy encounter for the WBO welterweight title at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, has already indicated that Marquez is not an option until the Mexican fighter proves himself against a legit welterweight like Andre Berto or Joshua Clottey. Marquez is the reigning WBO and WBA lightweight champion, which is 12-pounds below Pacquiao's current fighting weight.
If Marquez is unable to land Pacquiao, and he likely won't, then there are two possible options on the table. Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer has WBA 140-pound champion Amir Khan, and WBO interim lightweight belt holder Michael Katsidis, ready to face Marquez in the fall.
"There are particuarly two fights for Marquez, which are either staying at 135 and fighting Katsidis, or moving up and fighting Amir Khan," Schaefer said.
If Marquez goes with Khan, the fight would take place on December 11. If he decides to remain at lightweight to defend against Katsidis, then a date would be secured in November or December.
"If that's the case [that Marquez remains at 135], then obviously, I will attempt to work out a deal for him to fight Katsidis, who is promoted by Golden Boy as well," said Schaefer. "If Juan Manuel Marquez would want to do that fight, then it would take place sometime in November or December."
At the moment, Marquez has not ruled out a fight with Khan at 140. Schaefer believes the financial terms will play a role in Marquez's decision.
"Juan Manuel Marquez hasn't said that that he wouldn't move to 140 obviously if it comes down to the financial considerations. Let's not kid ourselves. If the money is substantially bigger in an Amir Khan fight, then I'm sure that he would look at it," said Schaefer. "If the money in an Amir Khan fight is not substantially bigger, than I'm sure that he's probably going to defend his unified lightweight titles."
Lem Satterfield is the boxing editor at AOL FanHouse and the news editor at BoxingScene.com. To read more from Lem Satterfield, go to AOL FanHouse by Clicking Here.
