Pacquiao looks to close book on Marquez despite rematch clause

left: Manny Pacquiao floors Juan Manuel Marquez in the third round of their 2008 rematch (photo by Chris Cozzone/ FightWireImages.com)

Marquez is fighting as a welterweight for only the second time, having lost his 147-pound debut by lopsided unanimous decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26 KOs) in Sept. 2009.

"Again, it was a slap in the face for Marquez to come to Pacquiao's home country trying to make that campaign. Him and [trainer] Nacho Beristain were crying that they got robbed," said Roach.

"You know, I see that this is a great fight for boxing and this is going to be a great fight for everyone to see, because Manny was a little embarrassed by the fact that Marquez was saying that it was a robbery and so forth."

Marquez has indicated that there is a rematch clause in the contract for the third matchup, and that he would have to fight Pacquiao a fourth time in the event that he is victorious.

Koncz confirmed it.

"There's no doubt in my mind that Manny's going to win this fight, but let me just put it this way: How unintelligent would it be if we did not include a rematch clause, just in case of some freak incident," said Koncz.

"Yes, there is a rematch clause in there. We have to be protective of Manny just in case some freak things happen in the fight. We have a mandatory rematch clause at the option of Manny."

Koncz referred to a recent fourth-round knockout loss by Victor Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KOs), who was dethroned as WBC welterweight beltholder by Mayweather last month.

"How many champions have a fight where, for example, you have an ending like the Ortiz fight. Where did his management make a mistake?" asked Koncz.

"They made a mistake against Mayweather by not putting a rematch clause in there. It has nothing to do with any doubt as to whether or not we think Manny's going to win. It's just smart. It's just good business."

Like Koncz, Roach believes that Pacquiao will render that clause a moot point.

"I just can't wait," said Roach. "Manny wants to close the book on Marquez and Nacho."

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Lem Satterfield can be reached at lem.satterfield@gmail.com