Manny Pacquiao to Face JM Marquez for Trilogy After Getting Past Shane Mosley?

Manny Pacquiao is almost certain he will face Juan Manuel Marquez for the third time after his fight with Shane Mosley on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

It would be Pacquiao's second fight for the year and would probably take place by October or November in a venue to be announced later.

“There's a big possibility, 80 percent, that Marquez is going to be my next opponent,” Pacquiao announced during Wednesday's press conference at the Hollywood Theater of the MGM Grand, here for his welterweight title defense against Shane Mosley Saturday.

Pacquiao did not say in his announcement if the planned trilogy will proceed if he is not successful with Shane Mosley on Saturday and on what weight class the match will be fought.

Marquez, who is known as the lightweight king for having dominated the weight class for years, is reportedly leaving his promoter Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) as his contract had expired. GBP though, has still an option over the Mexican slugger, by matching a contract coming his way up to February next year.

Earlier this month, Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum has reportedly sent Marquez an offer to face Pacquiao for a third crack at the pound-for-pound king.

Upon learning of the offer, GBP's Oscar De La Hoya has criticized the timing of the offer from Top Rank, saying it was disrespectful for Arum to do so pending the May 7 Pacquiao-Mosley fight.

“For me making that offer shows disrespect to everyone in the press, the people and the fans,” said De La Hoya, who was soundly defeated by Pacquiao via an eighth-round technical knockout in 2008.

“Because Pacquiao has a fight with Mosley and what does this tell you? That Pacquiao will defeat Mosley? It’s not right. Maybe you wait a little bit, until after the fight and you see what happens because in this sport you never know what will happen,” he added.

Marquez has been chasing Manny Pacquiao since 2008 for a lucrative match with the Filipino boxing superstar. If it gets done, it will be Marquez' richest fight of his career.

Pacquiao and Marquez fought in 2004, which ended in a draw. In a rematch in 2008, Marquez lost to Pacquiao via a split decision.

Marquez said he won both fights despite the series of knockdowns in both fights and blamed bad officiating for his loss.