Pacman accepts deal to challenge Marquez

Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao has accepted the role as mandatory challenger to newly crowned WBC super featherweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico, according to a report posted on www.boxingscene.com Sunday. It was learned that Pacquiao has authorized his confidant Rex "Wakee" Salud to accept the invitation. Pacquiao is currently training for his next fight in Alamodome, Texas, against Jorge Solis of Mexico on April 14. World Boxing Council president Jose Sulaiman said that before Marquez could fight Marco Antonio Barrera in a rematch, the champion must first face Pacquiao--that is if the Filipino won over Solis. He told Pacquiao to "confirm in writing his eligibility and acceptance or denial for the mandatory contender position." However, pundits are saying that the legal dispute between Pacquiao's promoter Top Rank and Marquez's fight managers at the Golden Boy Promotions must first be settled if the Pacquiao-Marquez rematch could be held. The first Pacquiao-Marquez fight ended in a draw despite the Mexican kissing the canvass several times. - GMANews.TV