http://www.newsnow.co.uk/cgi/NGoto/206413441?-1000

WBC to intercede if parties disagree

By NICK GIONGCO

THE WORLD Boxing Council (WBC) will hold a purse briefing on June 18 in case the camps of Manny Pacquiao and super-featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez fail to reach an agreement in the next 30 days for the two to set up their much-awaited duel.


From its headquarters in Mexico City, WBC president Jose Sulaiman yesterday urged Pacquiao and Marquez’s handlers and promoters to begin negotiations for the defense of Marquez’s 130-lb crown against the Filipino mandatory challenger.

Ringsiders have been yearning to watch Pacquiao and Marquez go at it again following the controversial ending to their May 2004 showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

In that fight, Marquez came off the floor three times in the first round to punch his way to a 12-round split draw.

However, it would take more than just a phone call for Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank and that of Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions (GBP), to even agree to entertain thoughts of being in one room.

A legal battle is being heard in a US court over the rights to promote Pacquiao and both camps have expressed confidence over the result of the court case.

The WBC’s announcement came at a time when Top Rank and GBP have come out with minor details about their respective plans and are looking at opposite directions.

Arum is eyeing reigning World Boxing Organization super-feather titlist Joan Guzman of the Dominican Republic for Pacquiao on Oct. 6, while GBP is training its sights at a rematch between Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera on Sept. 15.

Guzman, 31, is the leading candidate to secure a date with Pacquiao since his representatives have had the chance to talk with Arum the past few days.

Arum even hinted that a 17,000-seat arena in a hotel cum casino operated by The Venetian is ready to host a Pacquiao show in Macau.