Pacquiao fights Marquez a 3rd time Nov. 12

LAS VEGAS—It’s Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand Arena for the much-awaited trilogy between Manny Paquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Renowned promoter Bob Arum bared this Thursday with Top Rank staging the much-awaited third fight between the Filipino pound-for-pound king and the three-time Mexican champion.

Though the fight contract has yet to be signed, Arum’s announcement meant that Marquez has finally accepted a rumored $5 million offer take a third crack at Pacquiao.

While rival Golden Boy Promotions has the option to match the Top Rank offer, Marquez himself bared in earlier reports that GBP is not inclined to do so.

The first Pacquiao-Marquez fight in 2004, fought at 126 lb, ended in a controversial draw. That time, Pacquiao knocked down Marquez three times in the first round, but the Mexican rallied to forge the draw.

In their second encounter in 2008, Pacquiao again floored Marquez in the third round and eked out a split decision victory to snare the Mexican’s World Boxing Council super featherweight (130 lb) title.

Both have climbed up in weight with Marquez now the World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association lightweight titlist and Pacquiao the WBO welterweight king.

Pacquiao will be defending his title against Shane Mosley on Saturday as a heavy 8-1 favorite.

But if Pacquiao gets upset, Mosley will take Marquez’s place.

Still to be resolved in Pacquiao-Marquez III is to what weight it will be fought.

Pacquiao has shown that he’s a wrecking machine even at 147 pounds, while Marquez struggled and yielded to Floyd Mayweather Jr. when they battled at a catch weight of 144 pounds in 2009.

It’s for this reason that Marquez may want a catch weight of 143 pounds.

Age also stands to be a factor as Marquez is now 37 years old and Pacquiao 32.