Juan Manuel Marquez and David Diaz: Details on Money Disagreement

Juan Manuel Marquez plans to fight on July 16 to tune up for a November 12 fight with Manny Pacquiao, but as reported repeatedly, is having difficulty securing his preferred opponent, David Diaz. Miguel Rivera has details on their differences when it comes to how much Diaz should be paid.

The reported opening offer from Marquez was $100,000, and Diaz's team countered by demanding $300,000. In the end, Marquez and his reps from "Marquez Promotions" upped their offer to $150,000, but Diaz refuses to fight for less than $250,000.

My spidey sense indicates this fight could be made if they'd pay Diaz $200,000, but at the same time, if Marquez won't budge, Diaz should probably take the $150,000 and give it his best shot. Again, I like David Diaz. He's a tough fighter, made the most of his talent, and is a nice guy. But he also is about to turn 35 and is a non-contender now. In January he barely nicked a fight against journeyman Robert Frankel. He hasn't won a fight of real consequence in years at this point. What can he do without this fight? Where else is he going to get a good six-figure payday and a chance to turn the boxing world on its ear with a major opponent? Unless Marquez feels that Diaz is totally necessary, which isn't likely, he can find someone comparable who will take the fight for $150K or less, and then Diaz gets nothing.