Pacquiao-Marquez II fight date bared soon

The keenly-awaited rematch between boxing hero Manny Pacquiao and WBA/IBF champion Juan Manuel Marquez is expected to be announced in a week or two, according to Pacquiao’s US promoter Murad Muhammad.

In an interview with the Filipino champ’s popular website manny pacquiao.ph, Muhammad said a confirmation and the date of the fight from cable TV giant Home Box Office (HBO) will be announced soon which will pave the way for the signing of the contract for the dream rematch.

Muhammad actually had met with executives of HBO Wednesday with former Muhammad Ali bodyguard expressing confidence that a date for the return bout between two great fighters could be given "in a week or two."

Muhammad, who is in Washington DC attending to one of his fighter’s pre-fight events, said that he is quite optimistic that Pacquiao and Marquez could be meeting once again very soon, and some indications point to a September affair.

"We are leaning towards a rematch and Manny has always wanted to settle a score," said Muhammad, who is also expected to attend the 21st annual IBF Convention scheduled on June 1-5 at the Argent Hotel in downtown San Francisco, California.

Pacquiao is a recipient of a commemorative ring from the IBF, having been a former IBF champion in the super-bantamweight division, where he successfully defended the crown thrice before relinquishing the title to invade the talent-laden featherweight ranks.

Pacquiao, who rose to boxing prominence with his convincing win over Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera last year, floored Marquez thrice in the first round but failed to complete the victory and settled for a controversial split draw with the Mexican champion last May 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Like Pacquiao, Marquez is raring to face the Filipino champ again.

"Juan Manuel Marquez is waiting word on his next opponent and he is ready to face Pacquiao," said Top Rank Inc. publicist Ricardo Jimenez.

He also said that Marquez’s defense of his IBF belt against Orlando Salido could wait, confirming that there had never been formal negotiations for the fight.

"Mr. Arum is trying to put together the second fight between Marquez and Pacquiao and Juan Manuel will go with whatever Mr. Arum can put together for him," said Jimenez.

"Salido is only an option if Team Pacquiao goes another way and doesn’t want to fight Marquez next," added Jimenez.