Boxing News 2014: Pacquiao vs Marquez For the Fifth Time? Bob Arum Says Fight Could Be Staged In Macau, Not In Las Vegas
Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez could face each other for the fifth time if the Mexican boxing icon wins against Mike Alvarado in their upcoming fight on Saturday at The Forum in Los Angeles.
Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum said in an interview that Pacquiao vs Marquez fight could be staged not in Las Vegas, but in Macau wherein Pacquiao scored a dominating win over Brandon Rios last year.
Arum added that Marquez's camp, particularly trainer Nacho Beristain, also wants the fight to be held outside of the United States due to tax concerns. Beristain prefers Mexico, but they could also be amenable to staging the fight in Macau.
"Juan Manuel to Macau? I don't see why not," Arum said, The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported. "Because Nacho Beristain is saying if Marquez fights Manny, he doesn't want the fight to be in the United States because of the high income tax. What else could he be thinking of other than Macau?"
Arum also told BoxingScene that Pacquiao, who recently reclaimed the WBO welterweight title via a unanimous decision win over Timothy Bradley last month, has already agreed to face the winner of the Marquez vs Alvarado showdown.
"Well, I'm not the one fighting. So, the first thing I did was talk to Manny Pacquiao, and he's up to fight the winner," Arum said.
Marquez is reportedly interested in Pacquiao's welterweight title because he is aiming to make history by becoming the first Mexican to win five titles in as many divisions. The 40-year-old Mexican said, though, that he is not yet thinking about his next fight, insisting that he is focused in his upcoming fight against Alvarado.
"All I'm thinking is first things first and that's May 17," Marquez said. "After I win this Saturday, if (a 5th fight) with Pacquiao is there, it's there. I just want to have this fight on Saturday and it goes from there."