Pacquiao picks fourth Marquez fight over Bradley rematch

Las Vegas, NV, United States (4E Sports) – Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao has opted to fight tough Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez for the fourth time rather than face previous tormentor Timothy Bradley in a rematch.

Top rank promoter Bob Arum announced Friday that Pacquiao and Marquez will clash Dec. 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Arum said Pacquiao picked Marquez because the prize money was bigger compared to what he will receive from fighting Bradley, who snatched the Filipino’s welterweight belt by ending his 15-match unbeaten streak last June 9.

The promoter said he is guaranteeing Pacquiao $23 million for the Marquez fight while he would receive “considerably less” if he fights Bradley.

“Because the economics for the Marquez fight were so much greater than for a Bradley rematch, that is what Manny decided to do,” Arum told ESPN.com. “It’s so much greater because of the support Marquez has from the Hispanic community.”

Arum also pay-per-view was also a factor in Pacquiao’s decision, saying that the last Pacquiao-Marquez fight attracted more viewers compared to the Bradley fight.

“Look at the past numbers. When Pacquiao fought Marquez (in November), it sold close to 1.3 million pay-per-view. Bradley was about 900,000. That’s a big difference. Plus, the gate goes from probably $8 million to $12 million,” Arum explained.

The two fought to a controversial draw in their first meeting at featherweight in 2004. Pacquiao won a rematch in 2008 via split decision at junior lightweight championship and scored a majority-decision victory in November 2011.

Arum said the non-title fight will happen at welterweight at 147 pounds maximum with no catch weight. “There is no sanctioning organization title involved,” Arum said. “We’re going to give that money to charity.”

Boxing’s only eight-division champion, Pacquiao has a 54-4-2 win-loss-draw ring record with 38 knockouts while Marquez, who holds a junior welterweight title, has a 54-6-1 mark with 39 knockouts.

Pacquiao was on his way to Los Angeles for the fight’s first of three-city media tour Monday in Beverly Hills. They will move to New York to meet the media Wednesday followed by a trip to Mexico City Friday.

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