Pacquiao to fight Marquez in Mexico? Tax breaks could be reason

Why did Manny Pacquiao announce recently that he is willing to go to the lion’s den and face Juan Manuel Marquez in Mexico City?

Although Pacquiao hasn’t decided on who to fight on Nov. 10, the Filipino actually has no other choice but to pick among Marquez and Timothy Bradley, the unbeaten American fighter whose victory over him almost two weeks ago remains shrouded in controversy and mystery.

A few days ago, the Mexican media reported that initial talks have commenced for a possible Pacquiao-Marquez showdown in Mexico City.

Representing Marquez is Mexico’s premier promoter, Fernando Beltran, who has close ties with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc.

A source told InterAKTV that Pacquiao stands to save a lot of money because he won’t be taxed if he struts his stuff on Mexican soil.

“Millions [of dollars] in taxes,” said the boxing source. “That’s a lot.”

If Pacquiao performs in Sin City, whether it’s Bradley or Marquez, his purse will be subject to taxes.

But taking the fight away from Las Vegas is the biggest stumbling block in bringing it to Mexico.

Las Vegas has unlimited resources and can match — or exceed — an offer from Mexico City.

Arum said a clearer picture of what’s on the horizon should be known next week when he and Pacquiao reunite in Los Angeles.

(Via InterAKTV)

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Marquez Begins Training In Mexico

Juan Manuel Marquez’s training for his fourth fight with Manny Pacquiao on Dec. 8 took a giant step a few days ago when he logged 13 kilometers of roadwork on the footsteps of the 15,354-foot Nevado de Toluca, Mexico’s fourth highest peak.

Escorted by security personnel on motorcycle, Marquez said his whole body ached after the first two weeks of high-altitude training that included chopping wood using an ax and slamming a tire with a sledgehammer.

“After working hard in the first two weeks, my body is aching but once you get used to the training, you’ll feel like a well-oiled machine,” Marquez, 39, told the Mexican media.

Team Marquez plans to do 10 workouts in the mountains of Nevado de Toluca as part of the boxer’s rigid preparation for what will likely be the final chapter of his storied rivalry with Pacquiao.

Raul de Anda, a long-time member of Marquez’s entourage, presided over the mountain phase of the training in Toluca (altitude of 8,700 feet) as chief tactician Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Beristain is holed up at the Romanza Gym in Mexico City (altitude 7,000 feet).

Even though Marquez hasn’t scored a win over Pacquiao in their three matches, the Mexican believes he was the recipient of bum decisions in all of their encounters. The first fight in May 2004 ended on a draw while the next two were ruled close points decision wins for the Filipino.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, will report for training at the Wild Card in Hollywood on Oct. 15.

Trainer Freddie Roach said he will have no choice but to close the gym for two hours while Pacquiao is training so they can max out their preparation.

Pacquiao is actually getting warmed up for the tough grind under Roach as he has been doing his morning roadwork and doing light workouts in the afternoon.

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