WBO says Pacman-Marquez 5 possible

MANILA, Philippines - Whether he likes it or not, Juan Manuel Marquez may end up facing Manny Pacquiao a fifth time.

Marquez scored a dramatic knockout against Pacquiao in their fourth meeting last November. The Mexican said he wants to preserve the memory of that victory.

Ring Magazine, the Bible of boxing, named it as “Knockout of the Year.”

Marquez, who turned 40 last Aug. 23, said there’s no more reason to do a fifth fight with Pacquiao after that clear and conclusive win.

But WBO president Paco Valcarcel told www.boxingscene.com there’s still a possibility that one of boxing’s great rivalries is not over yet.

Marquez will challenge Timothy Bradley for the American’s WBO welterweight title on Oct. 12 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

The WBO title is the same title which the undefeated Bradley controversially took from Pacquiao last June.

The Filipino superstar, despite two straight defeats, remains a hot commodity, and on Nov. 24 he takes on Brandon Rios in Macau for the WBO International welterweight title.

Valcarcel said if both Marquez and Pacquiao win, the Filipino boxer will become the mandatory challenger to the Mexican.

“If Marquez and Pacquiao both win, the World Boxing Organization regulations would view the Filipino as (the mandatory) challenger to Juan Manuel,” Valcarcel told www.boxingscene.com.

“If both win, the bout between them would be ready, but of course, the fighters have the last word,” the WBO president added.

Immediately after Marquez’ victory, which came after a controversial draw and two close decisions in favor of Pacquiao, there were already talks of a fifth fight.

But it’s not happening yet.

Marquez turned down an offer of $12 million and Bradley an offer of $6 from the Pacquiao camp.

Marquez and Bradley ended up facing each other, and Pacquiao taking on Rios.

People are looking at these fights with great anticipation, hoping that Marquez and Pacquiao both win and set the stage for another fight.