Pac-Man Advisor Koncz Says: If They Fight A Third Fight, Pacquiao And Marquez Will Box At 145-Pounds -- Eastside Boxing

By James Slater, Eastside Boxing

As fans have no doubt read, the frontrunner to land the spot as the next challenger for superstar Manny Pacquiao is Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez. Both Bob Arum and Freddie Roach are reported to want this match-up to come next for Pac-Man and, unless Golden Boy can match the offer Top Rank have made to Marquez, this is the fight that will almost certainly happen (on November 5th or 12th).

The biggest question the fans have had when it comes to this prospective fight, is at what weight the fight - which will be the third clash between the two modern day legends - will go ahead at. In two sensational meetings, in 2004 and 2008, Pacquiao and Marquez fought at 126 and 130-pounds respectively. Since then, though, the incredible Filipino has marched through the lightweight, the light-welterweight, the welterweight, and even the light-middleweight divisions. As a result, the fans have asked aloud the question: can “Dinamita” compete with Pacquiao at 147, even 140-Pounds?

Well, according to Pac-Man advisor Michael Koncz, if and when the two warriors do meet again, it will be at 145-pounds and no lower.

According to a news piece on GMA News, Koncz said “It’s 145. We’ve had general discussions with Top Rank’s Bob Arum.”

Koncz informed the media that he and Manny “haven’t sat down and made a decision yet,” but that the 32-year-old global superstar will not fight under 145 as he himself understands it.

Arum has in mind a few alternative foes for Pac-Man just in case the Marquez fight falls through for whatever reason, but Marquez himself promised fans on Saturday (after the awful bore that was Pacquaio WU12 Mosley) how he would “give Pacquiao a real fight.” It seems the 37-year-old great is up for the trilogy.

But, in light of Koncz’ statement, will there be too many fans willing to give Marquez a chance in fight-three? Can Juan Manuel be effective at 145-pounds?

As fans will surely recall, Marquez weighed-in at a announced weight of 142 for his losing fight with Floyd Mayweather Junior in September of 2009, and the Mexican hero looked less than toned for that fight - after making the heavier weight with the assistance of a diet that consisted of quail eggs and piss (his own). How, then, can Marquez be expected to be able to fight to his usual standards at 145 - against Pacquiao at that?

Marquez, 52-5-1(38) has never been stopped in his illustrious pro career. I fear that if he faces Pacquiao at an agreed weight of 145-pounds, this will change. Why can’t Pac-Man, if he truly wants to prove who the better fighter is, make some effort at leveling the playing field by agreeing to take the fight at 138 or 139? I’m sure Manny could make such a weight without overly compromising his chances of winning. Can the same be said of Marquez if he agrees to fight at 145?

Source: eastsideboxing.com