MANILA, Philippines - Trainer Nacho Beristain has joined the negotiations for the fifth fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.
And he just did by saying Marquez is not looking forward to a fifth clash with the fallen Filipino superstar in September.
“Personally, I’m not convinced with the idea that Juan should fight Pacquiao again,†the 72-year-old trainer of Mexican champions told www.boxingscene.com.
By saying that Marquez is not after Pacquiao, it means that promoter Bob Arum has to try harder convincing Marquez to do it one more time with Pacquiao in September.
Marquez definitely wants more if he is to fight Pacquiao again, and it means much more than his guaranteed $6 million purse for the fourth fight last December.
Marquez stunned the world with a sensational one-punch knockout of Pacquiao in the sixth round, and while there is a clamor for them to do it again the 39-year-old Mexican is playing hard to get.
“We are interested in facing a puncher, a fighter like Brandon Rios,†said Beristain.
“I don’t see the point in fighting Pacquiao again,†was Marquez’ stand.
But the question here is how much would Marquez make against Rios, perhaps not even close to half of what he can make against Pacquiao.
Arum is not alarmed at all that Marquez is shying away from Pacquiao because at the end of the day the legendary promoter believes that it will happen.
The chief of Top Rank Promotions said it’s all part of the negotiations.
Pacquiao is not going to kneel before Marquez because he thinks there are other boxers out there for him to fight.
Rios, a certified banger, is one of them.
So, it’s up to Rios, the undefeated 26-year-old Mexican, to choose when it’s easy to say he can make more fighting Pacquiao.