By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2011 Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO (jGLi) – The possibility for the third meeting between Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao and Mexican champion Juan Manuel Marquez appears to be almost a done deal, except for the fine prints.

Lee Samuels, spokesman of Top Rank Promotions based in Las Vegas, Nevada, did not confirm or deny news reports on the Pacquiao-Marquez trilogy, beyond saying in an e-mail to this reporter that both sides of the parties are “still working on details – no media release right now.”

It was reported Thursday (May 19) that Marquez formally signed the contract to fight Pacquiao for the third time on Nov. 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada, quoting Top Rank’s promoter Bob Arum.

According to the Manila Bulletin, Marquez signed the contract at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, California, in the presence of Arum’s stepson and Top Rank president Todd DuBoef and Mexican promoter Fernando Beltran.

But Pacquiao has yet to go over the details of the contract before signing on the dotted lines.

It was also reported that Marquez will get a guaranteed prize of $5-million plus pay-per-view sales. He gets $10-million guarantee if there is a fourth fight in 2012.

It was reported that both sides agreed to a contract weight of 144 pounds. This means Marquez will be going up in weight from his usual 135-pound. While Manny will just be keeping slightly the same weight of 145 pounds when he last fought Sugar Shane Mosley.

When Marquez fought Floyd Mayweather, Jr.  in September 2009, their stipulated weight was also 144 pound. But at the weigh-in, Mayweather tipped the scale at 146 pounds, two pounds heavier than the weight contract. The excess weight cost Mayweather $300,000 per pound, making Marquez $600,000 richer on top of his $3.2 million guarantee. Marquez went up to 142 pounds, his heaviest.

To shed his rust, Marquez, who last fought last November, will have to hold a tune up match on July 2nd in Mexico City with David Diaz, who lost his lightweight championship belt to Manny Pacquiao via a ninth round TKO of the scheduled 12-rounder in 2008. Marquez and Diaz will be fighting in a non-title light-welterweight bout.

Marquez and Pacquiao will reunite with the WBO welterweight title on the line on Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, site of their first bout in 2008 when Marquez fought in 2004 to a draw with Pacquiao, retaining his WBA/IBF Featherweight titles. In their rubber match in 2008, Marquez lost his WBC Super Featherweight title to Manny in a split decision.

Pacquiao’s meeting with Marquez will be second time that he will be meeting the same boxer three times. Pacquiao’s first trilogy was with Mexican champion Erik Morales, who beat Pacquiao in a unanimous decision in 2005. In their rubber match, Pacquiao TKO’ed Morales in the 10th of the 12-rounder in 2006. In their third and final meeting also in 2006, Pacquiao KO’ed again Morales in the third round.

Pacquiao now runs a record of 53 wins (38 KO’s), 3 losses and 2 draws. While Marquez has a record of 52 wins, 5 losses and one draw.

Marquez will be 38 at fight time while Manny will be 32. # # #

Editor’s Note: To contact the author, please e-mail him at: (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)