Pacquiao-Marquez fight: Dec. 8

Mark your calendar. — It will be December 9, (Sunday) in Australia when for the fourth time, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Miguel Marquez will face each other at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It is expected that live coverage will be shown on giant television screens all over the world, particularly at Blacktown Workers Club in Blacktown NSW and at Panther’s Auditorium in Penrith.

The Filipino boxing legend picked Marquez over welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley Jr., who claimed his belt with a controversial split-decision win against him on June 9, this year.

According to boxing promoter Bob Arum. Pacquiao picked Marquez over other possible opponents because the purse was bigger. Pacquiao was guaranteed a whopping $23 million, win or lose. The figure would have been considerably less, had he chosen Bradley. Of course, there would be more money for Pacquiao in pay-per-view and product endorsements.

Paquiao will not be as merciful this time and is expected to score a knockout in the latter rounds against Maquez.

Updated: 2012-12-04 — 19:44:41