JuanMa lalaban kay Pacquiao, ‘if the price is right’

MANILA, Philippines - Kung papayag man si Juan Manuel Marquez na labanan si Manny Pacquiao sa pang-limang pagkakataon, ito ay dahil sa mas malaking premyong kanyang matatanggap.

Sinabi ni Mexican legendary trainer Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Beristain na inalok na sila ng isang Prinsipe ng Dubai ng premyong $15 milyon para lumaban sa nasabing bansa kontra sa isang South African fighter.

Kung mas mataas ang ibibigay ng Top Rank Promotions sa 39-an-yos na si Marquez para muling sagupain ang 34-anyos na si Pacquiao sa Setyembre, sinabi ni Beristain na malamang na mangyari ito.

“With a fifth fight, he (Marquez) might become the highest paid athlete in the history of Mexican sports, but the offer for a fifth fight might not be sufficient,” ani Beristain. “In Dubai, a prince is offering him $15 million tax free to fight an African opponent over there. There are other offers being reviewed.”

Pinatumba ni Marquez si Pacquiao sa sixth round sa kanilang ikaapat na paghaharap noong Dis-yembre 8 sa MGM Grand sa Las Vegas, Nevada kung saan tumanggap ang Mexican ng premyong $6 milyon kumpara sa $22 milyon ng Sarangani Congressman.

Nauna nang tinanggihan ni Marquez na laba-nan si Pacquiao sa pang-limang pagkakataon sa Setyembre.

Ngunit marami pa ring boxing fans ang humihi-ling sa Pacquiao-Marquez Part 5.

“There is still a lot of interest in a fight between Juan Manuel and Pacquiao. I’m the one who does not want it for Marquez. It would be a dangerous fight,” ani Beristain.

“I have an obligation, as the person in charge of the corner, to look out for my fighter. People think their rivalry has burned itself out, but there is still a lot of interest,” dagdag pa ng Mexican trainer.

Subalit si Marquez pa rin ang magdedesisyon kung patuloy pa ring lalaban sa ibabaw ng boxing ring o isasabit na ang kanyang boxing gloves.

“If he continues in boxing or decides to retire, I have to keep supporting him because he has been with me for 14 years,” wika ni Beristain.