Arum Challenges Marquez: "Fight a Welterweight, Then We'll Talk Pacquiao"
by Scott Christ on Aug 20, 2010 5:00 PM EDT
in Boxing News Analysis
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In response to Oscar de la Hoya's recent attempts to drum up serious interest in a third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, Bob Arum has issued a challenge to the Mexican star: Fight and defeat a legitimate welterweight, and then they'll talk turkey about a third fight.
Arum spoke with FanHouse's Lem Satterfield about that matter, the ongoing Antonio Margarito saga, and Don King's birthday.
"Let him fight Andre Berto, who is looking for a fight. Let him fight Joshua Clottey, who I promote and who I can get for him to fight. Let him fight a legitimate welterweight. Once he fights a legitimate welterweight, and succeeds, then, don't you think that we would love to put him in against Manny Pacquiao?"
It's not a stance that should be dismissed, honestly. Right now, in my view, a third fight between Pacquiao and Marquez is a mismatch. Marquez is older, has slowed down, and while still an excellent fighter, is leagues behind the standing that Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have at the top of the pound-for-pound ranks. Pacquiao has proven his worth over 135 pounds. Marquez has not, fighting just once over lightweight and looking miserable against Mayweather last September.
Of course, the folks at Golden Boy aren't stupid. Would they match Marquez with Andre Berto or Joshua Clottey? I highly doubt it. If they're going to risk Marquez's slim chance at a huge payday with Pacquiao, they'll do it with someone they promote, like Amir Khan. That way they make all the money.
In all of the talk on this subject, it should be noted that Arum has never had a bad word to say about Juan Manuel Marquez, recently calling him "a terrific kid and a terrific fighter." He doesn't seem to object to the idea that they fight, but he clearly has some issues about how they could market the fight right now, and also obviously has no intention to budge on Margarito being Pacquiao's next opponent.
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It is genuinely a coincidence that the photo I used for this post has Michael Katsidis lurking in the background, with Katsidis being the guy I think Marquez should fight.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
How Stupid
He fought floyd dude! and what would another pointless WW fight do for Bobby A or JMM? This makes no sense to me. He’s a proven opponent who many think beat paquiao. And I personally think he a better all round fighter than manny because of his intellect. But, is a rubber match gonna sell….maybe. If they do a good job of reminding casual fans of the past two battles. And katsidis seems like a baby bull to me that would get opened up easier but dropped later.
He fought floyd dude!
And was horrible and looked like he had no business fighting above lightweight. That’s Arum’s point. He looked so bad against Floyd that why would he be competitive against Manny anymore? Marquez is still very good, but not the same fighter he was in 2004 or 2008, and neither is Pacquiao, but Manny’s gone the other direction. Arum is simply saying, look, you’ve got some time, so prove you can fight at welterweight. If Marquez goes up to welter and beats Berto, for example, it makes a fight with Pacquiao look a little more competitive, probably. Right now I don’t think I’m alone in saying that as great as Marquez has been and as good as he still is, that fight doesn’t seem all that appetizing on paper.
And katsidis seems like a baby bull to me that would get opened up easier but dropped later.
He can also punch, which Diaz can’t, so Marquez would have to respect that. Marquez is willing to take some to give some and basically walked through Diaz’s firepower in the first fight, and appeared willing to do so in the second fight, but Diaz didn’t engage a whole lot. Getting hit by Katsidis is different than getting hit by Diaz. I definitely don’t think Katsidis is as skilled as Marquez, but the way they both fight nowadays, it’s an awesome fight on paper IMO.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Aug 20, 2010 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I love Marquez, and he is truly one of my favourites
but he is not at his best anymore, and moreso, theres still a few legitamite contenders at 135. Most importantly is his mandatory, a very deserving one in Katsidis. The others being Robert Guerrero, Soto, Vazquez, and Anthony Peterson. All guys I’d like to see face Marquez, and are deserving aswell.
"Dawson was NOT a hype job. Dude schooled Adamek, beat Tarver twice (neither competitive), beat Johnson twice (once close, once a wipeout) and even beat Harding when Harding was still good. That is not hype. Those are results. I love how people see a guy lose once and all of a sudden nothing they ever did means anything. You are dead wrong."
- Dan Rafael
Throw Miguel Acosta in there for me, too.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Aug 20, 2010 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions
so what ever happened to katsidis being JMM’s mandatory?
Texans 19-0 in 2010-2011 season PERIOD
by battle axe of doom on Aug 20, 2010 11:03 PM EDT reply actions
he still is
He’s got the WBO’s interim belt.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on Aug 20, 2010 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions
After watching Marquez' latest fight, I am forced to agree with Arum (who I truly despise, as I despise nearly all promoters).
Marquez needs to prove he can compete at WW with one of the better guys, otherwise there’s just no reasonable way to market a third fight against Pacquiao, especially if it’s at WW.
Marquez is relying more and more on his stoic features and iron jaw to win fights these days than earlier in his career. He needs to prove that approach can work against the WW’s.
If I was a hungry man with a gun in my hand and some promises to keep...
Oscar represents the interests of...
Ricky Hatton, Victor Ortiz, Nate Cambell, and Marcos Maidana; all of whom fight at 140 pounds.
Forget the welterweights. I would like to see him match JMM with any three of these guys from his own stable before giving him another shot at getting beat by Manny. If he still has it, bring it on. My guess is that he doesn’t … and this fight is about nostalgia and missed opportunities. Oh, and money.
I forgot to mention Khan...
and now Oscar has.
He said for the right money JMM would consider going up top 140. Great, yesterday he wanted us to pay to see JMM meet Manny; today he tells us he would have to convince him to fight Khan at that same weight.
Back when he fought, Oscar used to be accused of running out of gas. Today, no one could accuse him of same. He’s just full of it.
I agree with Arum as much as I dont like him. Marquez vs Pac isnt competative anymore, it MIGHT be but thats a big might. Marquez should focus on cleaning out the light weights. It might not make him the big dollars and he may never get to fight Pac again but he cant fight at welterweight
"I'm scared every time I go into the ring, but it's how you handle it. What you have to do is plant your feet, bite down on your mouthpiece and say, 'Let's go.'" Mike Tyson
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