By Mark Vester
Following Juan Manuel Marquez's impressive knockout of Joel Casamayor in Las Vegas, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer discussed some of the possible opponents for Marquez in the future. When the name of Manny Pacquiao came up, Schaefer shot it down. He said there is no way that Pacquiao, or his promoter Bob Arum, were going to step up to the plate to fight Marquez again, especially after the way Marquez performed against Casamayor.
“There’s no way Bob Arum and Pacquiao are going to fight him again,” Schaefer was quoted as saying by Kevin Iole. “I don’t think Pacquiao wants anything to do with Juan Manuel Marquez any more."
It's ironic that Pacquiao is going to fight Marquez's promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, on December 6. Pacquiao will earn up to $15 million dollars in the fight, more than enough to retire if needed. Win or lose, most see Pacquiao headed in the direction of a 2009 bout with Ricky Hatton, that is unless De La Hoya secures Hatton first. One hand Schaefer says Pacquiao is afraid to fight Marquez for a third time, on the other hand he says Pacquiao is a very dangerous fight for the much larger De La Hoya.
"Juan Manuel Marquez will fight anyone. He’s never turned down anyone," Schaefer said. "Have you ever heard him turn down any opponent?”
The plan by Golden Boy appears to fight between Marquez and Juan Diaz, who last weeked won a dominating decision over Michael Katsidis.
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