Must-see trilogy

Must-see trilogy
IT’S only a matter of time before veteran promoter Bob Arum makes the much-awaited announcement of a Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III.

The only hindrance thus far is Golden Boy Promotions’ right to match any offer that is presented to Marquez.

Turning 38 this August, Marquez has been fighting under the GBP banner owned by boxing’s poster boy Oscar De La Hoya the last three years.

Marquez’s deal with GBP ended recently, but De La Hoya’s associates were able to insert a stipulation that gives them a specific right to match the next fight contract that is offered to the Mexican as soon as their partnership expires.

In scrutinizing the proposal that was given to Marquez, it would be foolhardy for De La Hoya to match the offer as no one among his stable can come close to being as profitable as a Pacquiao-Marquez III promotion.

Arum has dangled a $5-million guaranteed purse to Marquez aside from a share of the pay-per-view earnings that has a potential 10-million take home pay if he gets to fight Pacquiao this November.

De La Hoya’s Chief Executive Officer Richard Schaefer tried selling one of their upcoming fighters, the undefeated Saul “Canelo” Alvarez of Mexico.

The 20-year-old Alvarez holds a remarkable 36-0-1 record with 26 knockouts and is coming off a 12-round unanimous decision win over British Matthew Hatton for the vacant World Boxing Council light middleweight crown last March in Anaheim, California.

Marquez and Arum doused called water on that clash with Alvarez by agreeing to a 144-lb catch weight bout with Pacquiao, a weight limit that would be very hard for Alvarez to meet.

Next to be peddled by Golden Boy was the once-hot prospect Victor Ortiz whose name zoomed back to the limelight after his shocking 12-round decision win over previously undefeated world welterweight champion Andre Berto last month in Connecticut.

Ortiz may have an easy time making the catch weight limit, but his surprising 6th-round TKO defeat to Marcos Maidana of Argentina still hounds the Mexican-American prospect.

Even if Marquez agrees to fight Ortiz and Alvarez at the same time, it would be impossible to command a $5-million price tag for the sturdy Mexican to remain a Golden Boy fighter.

GETTING PERSONAL. This is probably the only reason why De La Hoya will decide to match the offer of Arum.

Arum, who was De La Hoya’s promoter for the most part of the Golden Boy’s legendary ring career, has been at odds with his former protégé.

The Harvard-educated promoter though has never allowed his emotions to get in the way that will allow De La Hoya to get one over his former boss.

Since being a promoter, De La Hoya has always been outmaneuvered by Arum when it comes to signing up superstar boxers, the most prominent of whom were Pacquiao and another Filipino Nonito Donaire, Jr.

Based at least on their body language, Arum has shown poise and treats it as nothing personal but a simple business deal.

De La Hoya, meanwhile, has resorted to attacking the personality of Arum every time they engage in a public spat regarding their respective fighters.

And so, the only way to stop a Pacquiao-Marquez III battle is when De La Hoya throws away $5 million that he will never recover in a project that will involve Marquez sans Pacquiao.

KOY’S CLINIC. Easily one of the most amiable coaches in the country today, champion guru Koy Banal will be sharing his expertise in becoming one of the most successful coaches in Philippine basketball.

Banal will be teaming up with the Tarlac Association of Referees and Coaches (TARLAC) in conducting a coaching clinic from May 21 and 22 at the Don Bosco Tech Institute in Tarlac City.

According to Banal, aspiring coaches will be given tips on how to teach their players effective offense and defense drills through live demos.

Inquiries may be sent thru text via mobile numbers 0921 248 3021 or 0923 719 3672.

PINOY PRIDE. Once again, the ingenuity of Filipino engineers will be put to test in this Sunday’s Bosch Cordless Race Championships at the CCP Complex in Pasay City.

Students from eight colleges and universities will be displaying their self-designed race karts that are all powered by Bosch’s cordless lithium-ion power tools.

The schools competing this weekend are Mapua, Rizal Tech University, University of the Philippines, TIP, University of San Carlos, University of Mindanao, Don Bosco-Mandaluyong and Letran College-Calamba.

Source: manilastandardtoday.com