The fifth slugfest between surefire Boxing Hall of Famers Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez seems bound to happen next year after the World Boxing Organization ordered the two fighters to face each other, if they are able to win their respective bouts this year.
However, for the fight to take place, Dinamita must set aside his feelings to settle the score with his rival once and for all.
Marquez, who is scheduled to fight undefeated American boxer Timothy Bradley on October 12 at Thomas & Mack Center, has already clarified that he has no intentions in fighting Pacquiao, insisting he would rather stay with the memory of that lucky punch than fight his rival anew.
"I'd rather stay with the memory of that 'lucky punch' that I connected on Pacquiao. It's about pride and honor, not money. That's why in that contest there was no championship at stake, only the WBO's Champion of The Decade belt," he said.
"There are no plans [to fight after Bradley]. We'll leave this commitment first, and then see. First I want to see how I feel and if I plan continue with my career," Marquez told SB Nation.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, appears aching to avenge the most devastating loss of his career. The former eight-division world champion said he has two or three years left as a professional boxer and one of the fight he wants to happen before he closes his career is with Marquez.
Recently, the boxer known as "Pacman" started training for his upcoming bout with Brandon Rios on November 24. Pacquiao looked sharp while doing some light workouts, but the Filipino spitfire is expected to reach peak when Freddie Roach kicks off his training camp early October.
As for Marquez, many boxing pundits considered him as the favorite to win against Bradley. A victory against Bradley will catapult Marquez as the greatest Mexican fighter of all-time, having won a title in fifth different division.
If both Pacquiao and Marquez win their next fights, WBO President Francisco "Paco" Valcarcel will order the two fighters to fight each other for the fifth time in their career. However, Valcarcel is also aware that the boxers will have the last word.
However, fans are still clamoring for a fifth showdown between the two great ring gladiators. Many boxing followers, including Opposing View writer Alex Groberman, believed Pacquiao and Marquez are in a 2-2 deadlock and a tiebreaker is necessary to finally settle everything.
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