Pacquiao pushes for rematch, even in Vegas

In a virtual defiance of his manager’s order not to seek for a rematch with Juan Manual Marquez, Manny Pacquiao yesterday said he has some unfinished business to do with the WBA/IBF featherweight champion and that he is raring to fight him again even in Las Vegas.

"I want Marquez. I will fight him anywhere, even in Las Vegas," said Pacquiao as quoted by Ronnie Nathanielsz of the Boxingscene.com.

This came days after Pacquiao’s business manager voiced his objections against the popular clamor for a rematch following the controversial split draw decision that enabled Marquez to retain his twin titles.

"We don’t want a rematch and we don’t need him (Marquez)," said Nazario.

Promoter Murad Muhammad likewise contended that Pacquiao "is so much bigger now even after the unjustified draw" which was caused by a scoring error by judge Burt Clements who scored the first round 10-7 instead of 10-6 for Pacquiao which would have given the Filipino southpaw a majority decision and the WBA and IBF titles.

Clements even admitted that he erred in his scoring after the bout.

Murad said even WBC super featherweight champion Erik Morales, who was originally scheduled to fight Pacquiao on July 31, "doesn’t want to fight Manny."

Pacquiao’s ex-lawyer, Sydney Hall, also advised the General Santos native to forego challenging Marquez again because it could end his image of invincibility.

In virtually pleading to his handlers to arrange a rematch, Pacquiao told them not to worry about the judges because "the decision will not be left in their hands. I will knock him out for sure."

That’s the same vow Pacquiao made before that May 9 fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas but which he failed to accomplish when he let Marquez to come back after decking him three times right in the first round with his vicious straights.

Pacquiao’s knockout bid was actually hampered when he injured his left fist also in the first round and fought with a swollen hand and blistered toe the rest of the way.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao said he plans to relax and spend time with his wife Jinkee and their two sons in his hometown and would probably start doing roadwork within a few weeks so he would be ready to get to work in the gym once his swollen left hand is fully healed.

Both Pacquiao and Nazario also disclosed that even if Pacquiao’s next fight is in Manila, he "won’t train here because there are too many distractions." Pacquiao said he will go back and train under Freddie Roach at his Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles because Roach was "very good and very kind. He is a great trainer," added Pacquiao.