Moments ago, promoter Bob Arum informed members of the media in attendance at the Wild Card Boxing Club that for the foreseeable future, there would be no third fight between pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao and lightweight king Juan Manuel Marquez. The news may come as a surprise to some considering that just last week, Arum practically named Marquez as Pacquiao's next opponent assuming he gets past Mosley on May 7th. "I think this fight of Pacquiao and Mosley will set a pay-per-view record. It's a tough fight for Pacquiao and if he wins, the best candidate for his next fight is Juan Manuel Marquez. They have two close fights and I think it would be best choice," Arum would tell Rey Colon of Boxingscene.com just days ago.
Today's revelation from Arum likely signifies that Marquez has decided to re-sign with Golden Boy Promotions, who earlier this month made him a lucrative multi-fight deal in hopes of keeping the free agent on their roster. According to Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, Marquez was offered fights with Zab Judah and Robert Guerrero, as well as a promise to still try and secure him a third bout with Manny Pacquiao. "The first fight would be with Zab Judah and, after that, Robert Guerrero," Schaefer explained to Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "He listened to what Oscar and I had to say and he told us he would think it over. The next move is up to him."
It looks like the thinking is over and Marquez has decided to make his move. Either that or Bob Arum simply made the decision for him as the 78-year-old promoter abruptly informed the media that there would be no third fight just prior to Pacquiao beginning his open workout.