Manny-Marquez IV almost a done deal

MANILA, Philippines – A fourth fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez is close to being sealed, a boxing website reported today.

According to the report from boxingscene.com, promoter Fernando Beltran of the Mexico-based Zanfer Promotions said Pacquiao-Marquez 4 is slated to take place on Dec. 8.

The remaining stumbling for the fight being finalized, Beltran said, is the lack of a signed contract from Pacquiao himself – something the promoter expects to have anytime soon.

“The only reason I can’t guarantee the fight is (happening) is because there isn’t a signed contract from Pacquiao in front of us. Nevertheless, in the next few hours we will have it,” Beltran told boxingscene.com’s Rene Umanzor and Miguel Rivera.

Philstar.com tried to get Pacquiao’s side on the matter, but a text message seeking comment from his lawyer Jeng Gacal went unanswered.

The Filipino icon hasn’t come up yet with a definite plan for his next fight. His choice of opponents narrowed down to Marquez and WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley after Miguel Cotto opted to take on another foe.

Beltran, for his part, is confident that Pacquiao-Marquez IV will push through.

“I can’t say anything more because I am being conservative, but I can say that it is 95 percent (done),” Beltran said.

Pacquiao had gone life and death with Marquez for two fights, earning a controversial draw in 2004 and narrowly escaping with a contentious split-decision victory in 2008. In their third bout last November, the fighting congressman came away with a majority decision win.

Pacquiao’s adviser Wakee Salud said Marquez presents a big risk to the Filipino and may put jeopardy a planned megafight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“Kabisado na kasi ni Marquez ang style ni Pacquiao. Three times nang 12 rounds. Pag naaksidente siya nun, patay ang Mayweather fight (Marquez knows Pacquiao’s style, they fought it out three times, all in 12 rounds. If he beats Pacquiao, the Mayweather fight is off),” Salud told PTV Sports’s Snow Badua, who posted excerpts of the interview in his Twitter account.

Salud added that he prefers a rematch with Bradley, who defeated Pacquiao in a disputed split decision win in June, saying it is a much easier fight. Bradley, however, is reportedly asking for a bigger purse this time.

For Beltran though, Pacquiao needs to settle the score with Marquez,

“Pacquiao knows that he needs to fight Marquez in order to regain his credibility. And even more so after the controversial defeat against Bradley; now he knows what it feels like. It is the opportunity to vindicate himself with the boxing world and the opportunity to clearly beat Juan,“ the Mexican promoter added.