A third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez "took a major step toward becoming reality Tuesday when Marquez signed a contract with Pacquiao's promoter, Top Rank," according to Steve Carp of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. Marquez reportedly would make a "minimum of $5 million to fight Pacquiao on Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand Garden," while Pacquiao would make a "minimum of $20 million." Top Rank Chair Bob Arum said that the fight "remains contingent upon Golden Boy Promotions officially signing off on the terms of the agreement." Golden Boy "has the right of last refusal on any of Marquez's fights until the end of February 2012." Arum added that the "next step will be to sign a contract with the MGM and find a TV broadcast partner." Showtime televised Pacquiao's May 7 unanimous decision over Shane Mosley, but Arum said that HBO "would be approached to make an offer." Carp notes HBO, which is owned by Time Warner, "has ties to TNT and TBS and could use those channels to promote" the fight. Arum: "Whichever network gives us the best deal and the most exposure, that's who we'll sign with. We're looking to take this sport to a new dimension" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 5/18). ESPN.com's Dan Rafael noted Arum "still needs to make a deal with Pacquiao -- considered a formality -- before the fight is official." Barring a "gargantuan offer elsewhere, Pacquiao-Marquez Round III will be at Las Vegas' MGM Grand." Arum said that the fight "almost assuredly will be at the MGM Grand, even though there are overseas venues interested in making offers." Marquez's own promotional company "will put the card on, although Arum said Top Rank would help if needed" (ESPN.com, 5/17).
FINDING A NEUTRAL CORNER: In L.A., Lance Pugmire notes Top Rank and Golden Boy "have been locked in a bitter rivalry over a two-year span during which the companies haven't staged a fight together." But Arum said a meeting Monday's with Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer ended "in a burst of goodwill, with handshakes." He added that he "expects the promoters to renew working together in the future" (L.A. TIMES, 5/18).
