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Manny Pacquiao’s next move directly affects several other fighters

By Zach Cooper

As boxing fans await the soap opera to sort itself out regarding Manny Pacquiao and his inevitable fifth meeting with encounter with Juan Manuel Marquez, other boxers have been pulled into the drama.

Brandon Rios, Timothy Bradley and Mike Alvarado also are waiting to see if that fight can be made.  Their next moves are directly affected by the results.  Bradley would certainly be open to fighting Manny Pacquiao again should negotiations for Pacquiao and Marquez break down.  To a lesser extent, he would also be happy to take on Juan Manuel Marquez.

Alvarado and Rios are destined for their own rematch, but they may take on other fighters before that fight is made, and Pacquiao and Marquez would be preferred opponents.

JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images

JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images

However, there is no doubt that Pacquiao would like to settle the score, again, with Marquez following the devastating knockout he suffered in December.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s longtime coach spoke with The Sweet Science recently.

“My gut instinct on what is next? I want it to be Marquez, Manny wants Marquez, but Marquez wants a lot, lot, lot of money.  I think it’s a little outrageous. It may not happen. We might have to go to Mike Alvarado or Brandon Rios or a Tim Bradley rematch could be made.

I want Marquez right away, Manny and I both want it. But Marquez wants just about a 50-50 split. Manny brings butts in seats, pay-per-view-wise, Manny is the guy.  Obviously Manny deserves more. I think a rematch will make a lot more money than the last fight. I think both sides can ask for more and Marquez deserves something, but not 50-50.”

At this point, Marquez says that he really isn’t even interested in fighting Pacquiao.  Instead, he says he would like to face Tim Bradley.

“[Fighting Bradley] weighs more to me because he’s a great fighter, he is the champion, so logically as a fighter you always want to fight the best and Bradley is the champion and you want the championship. If I decide to continue, Bradley would be a great opponent,” Marquez told Boxing Scene.

“I do not care about a fifth fight [with Pacquiao], after what happened in the first three fights where there were controversial decisions, controversial where we had actually won and in this fourth fight we had a great victory and I would be very satisfied to let the memory of that remain, and to keep that feeling in place for myself, and also, for the Mexicans. We must go forward, pursue new goals, new directions. And for me to have had four fights with someone they had rated as the best pound for pound – and I made it clear that he is not the best pound for pound – searching for new challenges is important.”

All of this may sound a little strange.  If Marquez is not interested in Pacquiao again, why is he reportedly interested in doing it for an equal split?  While Marquez certainly has nothing left to prove against Pacquiao, money certainly talks.  Therefore, it is likely he is using Bradley as a negotiating tool to get Manny to come around.  The money is likely to great to pass up for Marquez, and Pacquiao certainly must be greatly interested in erasing the memory of his devastating knockout.

Bob Arum, speaking to Ring, said he will have a fight lined up for Manny Pacquio by the end of the week, one way or another.

“…we’ll have an opponent by the end of the week for Manny. I’m not going to negotiate in the media. They’re all my fighters, so I’ll talk to them privately, and then, we’ll come to a decision.”

Once we get the announcement regarding Pacquiao’s next fight, it is likely the rest of the fighters mentioned will quickly find their next opponents as well.

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Donaire vs. Rigondeaux, a clash of titans consummated-Part II

By Nick Bellafatto

Appearing to be an encounter of epic proportions taking place inside New York City’s famed Radio City Music Hall this Saturday night, Ring Magazine’s 122 pound champion and WBO titlist Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire (31-1, 20 KO’s) out of Las Vegas, Nevada, is looking to continue his winning ways against Miami, Florida resident and WBA belt holder Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KO’s).

And while the Cuban born Rigondeaux is listed as the division’s number 2 man, he nevertheless represents Donaire’s most formidable opposition to date. This leaves little wiggle room for the Filipino prizefighter in what will be a high stakes unification match televised on HBO Championship Boxing.

Having said that, let’s get down to the principals. There’s an existing liability on the part of “El Chacal” in that he would prove vulnerable to certain blows in more than one bout during his short professional career. That being the case, if Donaire happens to connect with what would be a shot heard around the world, it would put to rest once and for all the negative criticism that has abounded regarding this particular match up.

donaire_rigondeaux-final-pc680That talk has run the gamut from Nonito not being on the same level as his counterpart Rigondeaux, whom many regard as the best currently at junior featherweight, to the “Filipino Flash” being flat out reluctant to enter the ring with the likes of his upcoming adversary.

But despite what many have to say, Donaire chose to put “El Chacal” on his hit list right behind WBC champion Abner Mares, a fighter with whom terms could not be reached. Moreover, when the opportunity arose to face Rigondeaux, Nonito who’s desire it is to clean out the division didn’t so much as hesitate, save for the issue of drug testing solely brought about by misinterpreted translation on the part of Team Rigondeaux.

All told the contest fight fans have been salivating over is finally going to happen, as the surging Nonito Donaire looks to add another accolade to his coffers. But will he? For despite what Donaire brings to the table, “El Chacal” besides being a cool customer perhaps possesses the tools to derail the Filipino express.

Initially thinking that Nonito would be uncontested in his run to dominate the junior featherweight ranks, one look at Rigondeaux in person would cause me to initially put that thought on hold.

First off what strikes me about the Cuban is that he’s much quicker in person than any camera will reflect. This alone may put Donaire at a disadvantage. Combine that speed with the precision, power, and other varied attributes that Rigondeaux is able to call upon, and Nonito according to some has bitten off more than he can chew.

In further assessing “El Chacal,” his ring knowledge and experience adds intrigue in that he may very well be able to take away some of what makes Donaire a special fighter, that being his fluidity and ability to fight at angles wherefrom he can knock you senseless. Of course Rigondeaux must execute accordingly.

But then came the less than tested Roberto Marroquin, Rigondeaux’s latest opposition who would momentarily put the Cuban and his WBA distinction in jeopardy. And based on that fight, like Max Schmeling had once observed a flaw in Joe Louis, Guillermo may at some point become victimized by Donaire’s vaunted left hand. In addition to this concern, if I were part of the Rigondeaux camp I would be wary of his lack of contesting A level competition, a circumstance which could factor in significantly.

To top things off, “El Chacal’s” vast amateur experience may at some point turn out to be a double-edged sword. I mean could the wear and tear of nearly 400 amateur fights as a Cuban National affect his performance? We shall see but there’s no denying that Nonito Donaire is on the rise, improving his skill set against a variety of top notch opponents while the Cuban fighting mainly B level competition is still somewhat of a question mark.

But just as there exists doubt surrounding Rigondeaux and what is perceived as a shortcoming or two, so too is there an unknown regarding Donaire in that he hasn’t been hit in a way that has garnered him a reputation for taking a good shot. If indeed Rigondeaux can find a way to set up the WBO champion, this may prove detrimental to the Filipino in a bout many believe will be a chess match of the highest proportions.

Of course Donaire is fond of finishing fights before the limit so that one well connected shot could flush all the Rigondeaux hype down the memory hole. In either scenario one shouldn’t go to the refrigerator during this event. For not only might observers bear witness to a fight of the year type contest considering who the combatants are and what they bring to the dance, but it may very well turn out to be an instant classic.

I like Donaire in this bout to continue on his grand journey, either stopping Rigondeaux before the limit, or garnering a points victory after all is said and done. I don’t feel that the Cuban has enough experience at the highest professional level so that over the course of twelve rounds I either see Guillermo slipping up, or his conservative nature will emerge allowing Donaire to get the better of him.

Speculation aside, whatever transpires I’m hopeful that the event lives up to expectation, especially to that of the participants themselves. “It’s going to be an excellent fight,” said Nonito. “May the best man win of course. I owe New York a good fight [referring to his last NYC bomb against Omar Narvaez] and I want to make this a good fight! We’ll see what he’s [Rigondeaux’s] going to do and we’ll be ready for whatever he brings.”

The Cuban would counter, “in this fight I will try to engage more than I have in the past. [Rigondeaux’s been criticized for his conservative style] I want to give the fans what they want to see. He’s an aggressive boxer. I will be very aggressive and I’m coming for him. It’s the most important fight of my career” and “will determine the best in the 122-pound weight class. I think there are going to be a lot of fireworks.”

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