Marquez bout okay if price is right

MANILA, Philippines - Whatever Manny Pacquiao’s plans are will largely, or may all, depend on Juan Manuel Marquez’ own plans.

After all, barely a month after their explosive fight, people are already talking and thinking about a fifth fight between the two warriors.

That’s why people are hoping that Marquez, who’s turning 40 in August, will get his wife’s blessings on whether he’d continue fighting.

Marquez told his wife, Erika, before the Dec. 8 showdown at the MGM that it would be his last. But the way things turned out, the Mexican quickly had second thoughts.

Marquez asked his wife if he could fight twice more before finally retiring but was made to wait. He said he’s also consulting with his team as well as other family members and friends.

Marquez’ promoter, Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions, just told www.fightnews.com the decision will come soon.

Beltran is also hoping that Marquez continues on, and the swanky Mexican promoter said he’s already looking at a couple of dates – April 13 or April 20.

Pacquiao is also planning to fight in April, on either date as well, against someone else, in the hope by many that he could seal a fifth fight with Marquez by September.

Timothy Bradley, Brandon Rios and Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero have been mentioned as candidates for Pacquiao’s next opponent.

Neither one is a tune-up fight.

Beltran, on the other hand, has mentioned Jessie Vargas and Vyacheslav Senchenko as possible opponents for Marquez if he fights in April.

Marquez can fight in Mexico while Pacquiao is looking outside the United States, perhaps Dubai, Macau or Singapore for “tax purposes.”

And if the script is followed, then Pacquiao and Marquez can see each other in September in Las Vegas.

But luring Marquez to a fifth fight will not be as easy. When the Mexican, in the past, begged for each fight with Pacquiao, this time he can play hard to get.

Unless and until he is given what he wants in guaranteed purse.  If Marquez made $8 million tops for the fourth fight, he will certainly ask for more for a fifth fight.

He should because Pacquiao was guaranteed $23 million for the last one.

And that may be the reason Marquez is taking his time before committing himself to another fight with Pacquiao.

If they don’t give it to him, he can simply say, “I’m done with boxing.”

No mas.