Pacquiao Out, Barrera-Marquez is Close

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

The President and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions Richard Schaefer says the rematch between Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao and reigning WBC super featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera will not happen in April as Pacquiao claimed in an interview with ABS-CBN, Friday. In fact it may not happen at all.

Schaefer informed us that he has been busy negotiating for a Barrera title defense against featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez with the fighters themselves and HBO. Schaefer added “its not finalized yet but close.” He said the confirmed date is March 17 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Schaefer said that with the cancellation by the WBC of the scheduled February 12 purse bid Barrera is free to fight Marquez.

WBC president Jose Sulaiman earlier informed Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that the WBC suspended the purse bid and was “researching the situation and will continue doing it until the clarification of the facts for the free negotiations” because of the legal battle between Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank over the promotional rights to Pacquiao who had signed contracts with both outfits. In mid-September Pacquiao signed a seven fight contract with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions and on September 18 Bob Arum announced the Filipino icon had signed a four-year deal with Top Rank. [details]

[americanspirit]

I'd prefer that matchup over P-Man fighting either Barrera or Marquez.

The outcome will be more anticapatory for this one.

I'll PPV.

[Kball15]

i would PPV as well.

IF Marquez fights like he did against JACA, then this could be a war.

And its also a very interesting fight, because nobody is 100% sure if these guys are still top level guys.

I think if Barrera fights PACMAN again he gets stopped even earlier.

But if Marquez fights PACMAN u get a much closer fight.

However, the only way to be sure about my two predictions, is to see BARRERA and MARQUEZ fight.

[kadyo's]

i would PPV as well.

IF Marquez fights like he did against JACA, then this could be a war.

But what if MAB fights like he did against rocky in their rematch? Boring i guess...

[ELPacman]

This matchup could suck as Barrera can be just as an effective counter puncher as Marquez. This would cause neither fighter to really press the action as they are both afraid of getting counter punched. This is a matchup where style wise, can be boring. I think either of them vs Manny obviously would make more sense though I doubt it's going to come about as of now.

[BigmoneyMikes]

I think this is ganna be a very boring but very intriguing match. i always wondered how MAb would do against a techical master and they dont makem better than JMM, this fight will deff answer questions about MAB and JMM. but this will not be a war, if JMM tries to take the lead then mab is ganna counter him to a UD same with MAB taking the lead. My prediction is MAB SD jmm in a close controversial fight.

[Papa Ace]

pacquiao afraid barrera?? wtf he'd readily give a beating and take home $5M.

[-Antonio-]

If they could some way put this on the DLH/Mayweather card, I would put up 100 to see it.

[-Antonio-]

So I guess the biggest fight for Pacman is a fight with Guzman.

[Kball15]

But what if MAB fights like he did against rocky in their rematch? Boring i guess...

it would be boring if he fought like that...

But Barrera NEEDED that win if he wanted to get pacquioa or marquez in the ring with him.

And we all know, Barrera boxes when he NEEDS a win, And brawls when he WANTS a win.

It depends on how Barreras management team, and barrera himself, look at this fight.

1) DO they say, "Win or Lose against Marquez, we can still weazel a Pacquioa deal if thats what the fans want." Cause the only way to get the fans to want that fight, is to beat Marquez in a brawl.

2) But if they say, "We gotta win to get PACQUIOA, if we lose we're done." then they wont brawl, they'll box.


I think they will go with 1, surprisingly. because why else take the Marquez fight? There is no need for it if they REALLY want PACMAN. unless they think Marquez has a bigger chance at getting the fight... which is unlikely because PACMAN and BARRERA both want to fight eachother...