Pacquiao-Marquez III In 2009?

by James Slater: It’s a fight everyone wants to see, and according to a recent article on The Las Vegas Review, a third meeting between Many Pacquiao of the Philippines and Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico could happen as early as next February. Assuming both Pacquiao and Marquez win their upcoming bouts – Pacquiao’s against David Diaz (and then an October fight against an as yet TBA) and Marquez’ against Joel Casamayor – there is a good chance the two greats will box again next year at lightweight..

Speaking to The Las Vegas Review, Manny Pacquiao said he would definitely fight Marquez again.

“It’s up to my promoter [Bob Arum], but yeah, I’ll fight him again, ” Pacquiao said on the subject of a third bout with Marquez. “It was a good fight [the rematch]. I’ve watched the tape several times, and it was a very tough fight, one of my toughest. But I think I won.”

Indeed, both Pacquiao-Marquez contests were extremely close affairs, and they were also superb fights. This is why fight fans the world over want to see a third go between the two. For although officially Marquez won neither fight, his closeness in losing makes it apparent he is “Pac-Man’s” most serious adversary – an equally great fighter capable of perhaps beating Pacquiao on a given night. The Filipino will want to prove once and for all he is the superior fighter.

Bob Arum also spoke about a potential third fight, telling us why the fight can wait, for the time being at least.

“It makes sense to wait because we’ll have new elements to promote,” the promoter said. “With both fighters at 135 pounds, there’s a lot mot conjecture. Now, it’s a real story.”

Arum is spot on in his assertions. Should both men win their lightweight debut and pick up a major world title at 135 in doing so, a third Pacquiao-Marquez fight could be huge next year. Freddie Roach, trainer of “Pac-Man,” gave his opinion on the series reaching a third clash.
“He [Marquez] has to get by Casamayor first, and that won’t be easy because Casamayor has that awkward style,” Roach said. “But if Manny wins and Marquez wins, sure, I can see them fighting next year.”

Fingers crossed, then, that Pacquiao and Marquez do emerge triumphant on June 28th and September 13th, respectively. Then we can look forward to the best possible fight to be made in the Lightweight division happening next year!