Promoter ready to set up Pacquiao-Marquez IV
LAS VEGAS – Only seconds after Manny Pacquiao squeezed out a majority decision victory over Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, prompting angry fans to pelt the ringside area with drinks, promoter Bob Arum said he's going to do a fourth fight between the men.
Pacquiao retained his World Boxing Organization welterweight belt by defeating Marquez by the closest of margins. Judge Glenn Trowbridge had it 116-112. Dave Moretti saw it 115-113 and Robert Hoyle had it 114-114.
As he made his way through an angry crowd that shouted obscenities at him, Arum told Yahoo! Sports, "It was a great, great fight. I had Manny, but it was close, so why not bring them together again in May? It makes a lot of sense to do that."
The fighters fought to a split draw in 2004 in a featherweight fight. Pacquiao won a split decision in a super featherweight title fight in 2008.
Representatives of Floyd Mayweather Jr. had reserved the MGM Grand for May 5, ostensibly to make a fight with Pacquiao. On Friday, Golden Boy's Oscar De La Hoya said the fight was closer than ever, but with Arum's announcement, the richest fight in history will be on hold for a while longer.
More Pacquiao-Marquez III coverage:
• Manny Pacquiao beats Juan Manuel Marquez by controversial decision
• Slideshow: Check out photos from thrilling fight in Las Vegas
• Angry Juan Manuel Marquez says he might retire after 'robbery'
