Manny-Marquez III a sure blockbuster

MANILA, Philippines - It’s the fight that needs no introduction, and yet the promoters are pulling all the stops to make sure it gets all the attention.

“It’s a fight that really doesn’t have to be sold,” Top Rank executive event producer Brad Jacobs told yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Ave.

“But we need to show the world how big this fight is. That’s our job as promoters – get their names out in front of the public and build the anticipation,” he said.

The Top Rank executive is referring to the third clash between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez scheduled Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand.

He said all the ingredients are there to ensure another blockbuster fight between the two boxers who’ve figured in two great fights.

“We already know it’s going to be a great fight. So, if the question is if the people will tune in to this one, the answer is yes,” said Jacobs.

Top Rank has all the reasons to believe that.

“It’s a great fight to begin with. It has the potential to be the most watched Pacquiao fight on pay-per-view,” said Jacobs.

Jacobs is in the country for Saturday’s kickoff leg of the Pacquiao-Marquez press tour, which also has stops in New York, Los Angeles and Mexico City.

He graced the forum together with Tek Major of Solar Sports, which is working with Top Rank and giant station GMA-7 in putting up the star-studded show.

Major said they expect to draw more than 50,000 fans at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta on Saturday afternoon, complete with songs and dances and some cultural presentations.

Pacquiao’s best PPV outing was the 1.3 million-plus buys for the Shane Mosley bout last May, eclipsing his 1.25 million with Oscar dela Hoya in 2008.

Jacobs said they expect this one to do even better than that.

“We’re looking to surpass but I can’t put any numbers to that. Our goal is to exceed the expectations – get to 1.4 million and go past it.”

He said there are plenty of reasons why this fight, the third between Pacquiao and Marquez in seven years, will make it big.

“These are two great champions getting into the ring for the third time. And a lot of people think it’s even at this point. So we have this trilogy,” Jacobs said.

Pacquiao and Marquez first squared off at 126 pounds in 2004, and the result was a very controversial draw.

It called for a rematch that came at 130 pounds in 2008, and again too many people were not convinced when Pacquiao took a narrow split decision.

Marquez claims he won both fights, and for three years he called on Pacquiao to a third fight. It comes in November at a catchweight of 144 pounds.

“You cannot ask more,” said Jacobs of the story behind Marquez and Pacquiao, now the reigning WBO welterweight champion.

“So, it’s going to be war,” he said.

Abac Cordero, Philippine Star