MACAU – If Manny Pacquiao’s adviser Mike Koncz is the one calling the shots, there won’t be another fight with Juan Manuel Marquez.
Koncz, who is in this bustling city to watch the Nonito Donaire-Simpiwe Vetyeka title bout and at the same time meet with Bob Arum to discuss Pacquiao’s next fight, has gone on record about his disinterest in a Marquez rematch.
“You know, I'm not so inclined to fight Marquez again. But again, we haven't talked about it. We'll sit down and see what our options are then I'll go back and discuss it with Manny,†Koncz told a couple of Filipino scribes on Thursday at the Venetian Resort, where the final Donaire-Vetyeka presser was held.
Arum has penciled Pacquiao’s ring return on Nov. 23 instead of the original Nov. 8 schedule because a Celine Dion concert will be held at the latter date. The promoter earlier said a fifth Pacquiao-Marquez bout would be his top priority.
But Koncz disagrees, going on to state his reasons.
“Well number one, I don't think there's enough money available. Marquez is probably gonna ask for too much,†he said.
Interestingly, the camp of Marquez, headed by his trainer Nacho Beristain, dislikes another fight with Pacquiao. The two rivals have already fought four times, with Marquez getting the upperhand with an emphatic knockout win over Pacquiao in their last meeting.
Koncz, for his part, doubts the marketability of a Pacquiao-Marquez 5.
“And I don't know if it's really sellable. I mean people saw what we did the last fight against Marquez, and then Manny got careless and got hit,†he explained.
“And the other thing is, I think if there was a Marquez fight, that's probably more suited for America for the pay-per-view portion of it,†Koncz added.
Nevertheless, Koncz stressed that there’s “no rush†in finalizing Pacquiao’s next assignment.
And he hopes it won’t be Marquez again.