MANILA, Philippines - Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao will face separate opponents one month apart instead of going for a fifth fight most people are dying to see.
Marquez has reportedly sealed a deal with Timothy Bradley for a WBO welterweight title fight that will most likely take place on Sept. 14 or the eve of the Mexican Independence Day.
And based on previous reports, the fight is being set at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, has moved his plans for a ring return from September to October, and the latest word is that it would take place on Oct. 13 in Macau.
Against whom nobody knows yet.
But Pacquiao, who absorbed a horrifying loss to Marquez last December in Las Vegas, is looking at a very short list that includes Bradley, Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado.
Pacquiao wanted Marquez, but the Mexican counterpuncher who will turn 40 on Aug. 23 is taking his time before he faces his fierce rival from the Philippines one more time.
Marquez is reportedly asking $20 million for a fifth fight with Pacquiao, a figure that put a hold on the negotiations for a rematch.
It’s hard to guess how much Marquez would get fighting Bradley but certainly it won’t be even close to half of what he can earn if he chose Pacquiao.
Marquez was guaranteed $6 million against Pacquiao last December, and he should be happy if he gets the same amount against Bradley.
It was reported a couple of days ago that Pacquiao has offered Bradley $6 million for a rematch with the undefeated American who pulled off a questionable win over the Pinoy boxing icon last June.
“I think Marquez wants Bradley,†said Pacquiao’s business manager, Eric Pineda, adding that Pacquiao, seeking a second term as Sarangani congressman in the May 13 elections, has not mentioned any exact date for his next fight.
“Let Marquez fight Bradley. Then if Bradley beats him, we take on Bradley next,†said Pineda.
Since no formal announcement has been made regarding Marquez and Pacquiao, anything is possible. If Bradley opts to face Marquez, then Pacquiao moves on.
“Then we choose between Rios and Alvarado. I think we will go for Alvarado,†said Pineda.