Marquez claims to have key to beating Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines — Their third bout now a certainty, Juan Manuel Marquez, says he has a blueprint on how to fight and win against Manny Pacquiao when they clash on Nov. 12 in Las Vegas.

Marquez, the WBA and WBO lightweight champion best remembered for giving Pacquiao two of his toughest fights yet, revealed his fight strategy to Examiner.com Monday.

“You have to match his rhythm,” said Marquez. “You have to match his speed with speed, and when he throws punches, you have to counter-punch with the same velocity.”

Marquez knows whereof he speaks.

The future Hall of Famer survived three first-round knockdowns to forge a draw with Pacquiao in their first meeting in 2004. In their second fight in 2008, he was knocked down in the third round and lost to the Filipino superstar by split decision.

Pacquiao next moved up several weight classes to post a record eight world titles in as many divisions, while Marquez climbed a notch from the 130-pound class.

Marquez acknowledged in the Examiner.com report that he would be facing a different Pacquiao this time.

“Pacquiao has improved,” said the 37-year-old Marquez. “He has improved his right hand and uses it well. You could see it in his last fight against Shane Mosley.”

Pacquiao, a southpaw who developed his right hand into a lethal weapon, knocked down Mosley in the third round on the way to a unanimous decision victory on May 7.

Meanwhile, Golden Boy Promotions on Monday failed to match the lucrative offer made by Top Rank Promotions for Marquez to face Pacquiao at a catch weight of 144 lb for the Filipino’s WBO welterweight title.

Top Rank chief Bob Arum, through his lawyers, had sent a formal offer to GBP because, even though GBP’s promotional agreement with Marquez expired Monday, it still exercised the option until February next year to match any offer made to Marquez.

Apparently, GBP and Top Rank reached an agreement that would free Marquez to fight Pacquiao. However, no one on either side is prepared to reveal any details at this point.

Under the Top Rank offer, Marquez would get a guaranteed $5 million purse plus $5 for every pay-per-view buy above 700,000. There was also a rematch provision in case Marquez, won which would guarantee him a purse of $10 million.

(With a report from Ronnie Nathanielsz)