Martinez Has Goals In Sight » “Maravilla,” the nickname of middleweight boxer Sergio Martinez (47-2-2, 26 KOs), is perhaps the most appropriate in all of boxing. The Spanish word for “wonder,” it fits Martinez perfectly… ALLEN TRIEU, msn.foxsports.com

If Not Pacquiao, Who’s Next For Mayweather? Sergio Would Be Fun; Bet On Khan » Who should Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight next? Easy: Manny Pacquiao, naturally. Outside of the fighting congressman from Sarangani, what opponent could Floyd find to make an equally big, or even bigger, statement? Why, Sergio Martinez, of course… Kieran Mulvaney, ESPN.com

The Boricua Comeback? » 2011 hasn’t been a great year for Puerto Rican boxing. • While faded boricua figurehead, Miguel Cotto, stopped Ricardo Mayorga in March, not even the fiercest of Cotto loyalists would argue that it was anything other than a trophy win from a critically weathered fighter… Paul Magno, theboxingtribune.com

WHO YOU LIKE?™ Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez + Andre Ward vs Carl Froch + Bernard Hopkins vs Chad Dawson. Pre-fight coverage from Chelsea Pier, NYC. featuring the Bob Arum (Top Rank) and Jaime Motta (ESPN). “It was very sad for me to see a son talk to his father like Floyd Jr. did to Floyd Sr.” —Bob Arum

Juan Manuel Marquez has signed a contract to fight Manny Pacquaio on Nov. 12, the President of Top Rank Promotions Todd duBoef said.

The bout, which will be the third installment in an already highly-contested and controversial past, will be fought at a catch weight of 144 pounds at the likely location of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

In 2004, Pacquaio and Marquez fought to a draw at 126 pounds, followed four years later by Pacman winning a controversial split decision against the Mexican native.

“I like the fight,” DuBoef told the Los Angeles Times. “How can you not after the first two fights? The thing I like best about this one is that fans are encouraged by it.”

“These guys have fought like gladiators over the course of their last 24 rounds together, and I believe we have another 12 more like that ahead of us.”

Although several fight night details remain undecided, such as the premium network the bout will air on, it is clear that Marquez is guaranteed $5 million and a percentage of pay-per-view sales.

As for the network, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum explained to The Times, that regardless of past television deals, the main focus is on promotion.

“We will evaluate whoever is providing the most assets in the publicizing and promotion of the event,” Arum said.

— Alex Neely

» Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik may rise again to fight undefeated Alfonso Lopez of Cut and Shoot boxing club, on the Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley undercard May 7 in Las Vegas, Pavlik’s manager Cameron Dunkin said…

55-Year-Old Boxer’s Quest Comes To An End » The preliminary rounds for the Bengal Bouts boxing tournament at Notre Dame were Sunday at the Joyce Center. The event is now in its 81st year. • But in all that time, it has never before seen the likes of one nearly senior citizen. • People told Terrence Rogers he didn’t belong there. At 55 years old, he is believed to be the oldest to ever compete in Notre Dame Bengal Bouts tournament. But as he stepped into the ring for the first time in 32 years, he didn’t even feel nervous… DAVID MCCOY, www.wsbt.com

Vikings DE Edwards Will Turn To Boxing If Players Locked Out » If the NFL does impose a lockout on players during the CBA negotiations, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards says he will try his hand at becoming a professional boxer… Source: www.sportingnews.com

Pacquiao Opening Doors For Filipino Fighters » Manny Pacquiao’s ascent to the top of the pound-for-pound rankings has raised the stature of fighters from the Philippines. • While building a legacy as best fighter of his generation, Pacquiao also is opening opportunities for countrymen to penetrate into the American market and land possible pay-per-view dates. • Philippines native Nonito Donaire recognizes how Pacquiao’s impact is helping his career… SANTOS A. PEREZ, www.miamiherald.com

Top Rank Promotions CEO, Bob Arum, says the under card of Showtime’s main event featuring eight-division titlist Manny Pacquiao against three-division, five-time champion, Shane Mosley, could be haunted by the comeback of a “Ghost”.

Former WBC and WBO middleweight (160 pounds) champion, Kelly Pavlik (36-2, 32 knockouts) may return to the ring on May 7, according to Arum.

“We’re holding a spot on that card,” said Arum to Boxing Fanhouse. “Kelly wants to do it, we want to do it. So there is a big possibility that he could be on the card.”

28-year old Pavlik had been released from Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif. on Jan. 4, after having been admitted for alcohol issues on Nov. 4.

Although the comeback of the Youngstown, Ohio-native will inevitably spark potential match-up speculations, Pavlik’s manager, Cameron Dunkin, wants to make it clear that his personal matters come first.

“Kelly told me that he doesn’t want to disappoint anybody any more. He wants to get his life in order,” Dunkin said previous to his release. “So we’re just bringing him home and letting him see his family, and then we’ll let him rest and talk about his career or whatever else in a week or two.”

Pavlik’s alcohol problems stemmed back to 2007, during which he dethroned Jermain Taylor in an impressive seventh-round knockout in Atlantic City.

After another decision victory over Taylor, and third-round stoppage over Gary Lockett, Pavlik suffered his first loss at the hands of Bernard Hopkins (in a bout at 170 pounds) by decision in October of 2008.

Pavlik recovered with two straight knockout victories, before being dethroned in April by unanimous decision, to now Pound-for-Pound ranked, Sergio Martinez.

Most recently, Pavlik had been scheduled to fight on the Nov. 13 under card of Pacquiao versus Antonio Margarito for the vacant WBC junior middleweight title at Dallas Stadium; however, cited a rib injury as his reason for pulling out of the bout with Bryan Lee Vera.

Personal problems and speculations aside, it will be interesting to see if the “Ghost” will have the capability to instill fear in the middleweight division again.

— Alex Neely

Nick Diaz, the consensus mixed martial arts #7 welterweight (USA Today/SB Nation) in the world, shocked many on Jan. 25 when trainer Cesar Gracie revealed a boxing match clause in his new contract.

Although Diaz re-signed with California-based organization Strikeforce, the welterweight champion added a clause that will allow him to compete in a boxing match this year.

Diaz, who defends his title this weekend against challenger Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos, is expected to exercise that clause against a recognizable name, potentially earning what he and his trainer feel he deserves.

“In boxing, when you’re a superstar, you get millions of dollars,” Gracie told ESPN.com. “In MMA you’re not making that kind of money.”

“We’re in negotiations right now with [boxing promoter] Don Chargin,” Gracie disclosed, adding that, “It would probably be at super middleweight [168 pounds].”

In a recent conference call for his upcoming title fight, Diaz expressed his displeasure in fight compensation.

“I just want to get paid. [Boxing champion Manny] Pacquiao’s making $40 million…I’m over here driving a Honda because my [car] is breaking down.”

Diaz, who currently sports a record of 23-7 (12 [T]KO’s, 7 Submissions), has already had his name thrown around with potential opponents.

“There have been a few names kicked around. One of them is Fernando Vargas; another is Ricardo Mayorga.”

Vargas, who has been the object of comeback rumors over the past few months, is now 33 and has not been seen in the ring since November 2007, when Mayorga defeated him by majority decision.

Mayorga, whose foray into MMA in May 2010 was subjugated by boxing promoter Don King due to contractual limitations, is a definite possibility. However, the two-time champ is competing on March 12 with WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. Director of Public Relations for Don King Productions, Alan Hopper appears to be keeping his options open.

“As long as the combatants can adhere the particular rules of the game they are participating in – in this case a boxing match – we’d be perfectly OK with that,” Hopper told ESPN.com.

“Now, obviously, we hope [Mayorga] beats Cotto and will have bigger fish to fry in the boxing world. But you never know, you never know.”

Although the Stockton native, Diaz, is not looking past his title defense this weekend, we as fans can not help but imagine the potential for what could inevitably be the one of the most marquee pugilistic leaps.

— Alex Neely

Illustration by  Chris Williams

Manny Pacquiao Trainer Freddie Roach Preferred Juan Manuel Márquez Over Shane Mosley » There is no shortage of boxers who want to take down the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. • But if Manny Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, had his way, the Filipino superstar would be taking on Mexican Juan Manuel Márquez. Instead, Pacquiao is scheduled to fight against Shane Mosley on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas… Wil Cruz, latino.foxnews.com

Promoters For Alexander-Bradley: Why Not Detroit? » The greater Detroit area, smack in the middle of one of the USA’s most economically depressed regions, is not usually high on the list of destinations for major sporting events these days. • Which is precisely why boxing promoters Gary Shaw and Don King insist that it is the most desirable venue for staging their Jan. 29 “Superfight” — a matchup of undefeated junior welterweight fighters Devon Alexander (21-0, 13 KOs) and Timothy Bradley (26-0, 11 KOs)… Bob Velin, www.usatoday.com

Tim Bradley Won’t Let Flu Slow Him For Devon Alexander » FanHouse spoke to 27-year-old WBO junior welterweight (140 pounds) king Tim Bradley in this Q&A as he prepares for an HBO televised, Jan. 29 clash opposite 23-year-old southpaw WBC titlist Devon Alexander that is slated for the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich. • Nicknamed, “The Desert Storm,” Bradley (26-0, 11 knockouts) told FanHouse that he will not allow a recent bout with the flu interfere with his training for Alexander (21-0, 13 KOs), who is called, “The Great.”… Lem Satterfield, boxing.fanhouse.com

Floyd Mayweather A Bigger PPV Draw Than Manny Pacquiao » It’s long since been argued by boxing experts that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is far more important to the sport of boxing than Manny Pacquiao. While the latter no doubt carries a rabid international fan base that makes its presence known on online message boards, the former has the stats and dollar amounts backing his impact up… Alex Groberman, www.opposingviews.com

WBC Strips Sergio Martinez, Orders Sebastian Zbik-Julio Cesar Chavez » Former southpaw WBC middleweight (160 pounds) king Sergio Martinez has been declared the WBC’s Emeritus Champion, essentially stripping the Argentinian-born fighter of the crown he earned by dethroning Kelly Pavlik in April… Lem Satterfield, boxing.fanhouse.com

John Duddy Retires, Drops HBO Fight » John Duddy, the popular New York-based middleweight from Ireland who was the personification of a boxing blood-and-guts warrior, abruptly announced his retirement on Tuesday… Dan Rafael, sports.espn.go.com

Martinez and Duddy photo by © Howard Schatz

Holyfield Soldiers On In Ring At Age Of 48 » The year was 1996, and Mike Tyson was out of prison and destroying everyone who climbed in the ring with him. Evander Holyfield was up next, and a lot of people in boxing were worried not only that Holyfield might take a serious beating, but that he might even die… Tim Dahlberg, sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Arum: Alexander-Bradley Winner ‘Absolutely’ Could Earn Pacquiao » Top Rank Promotions CEO, Bob Arum, told FanHouse that the Jan. 29 winner of an HBO televised junior welterweight (140 pounds) clash between southpaw WBC champ Devon Alexander, of St. Louis, Mo., and WBO counter part Tim Bradley, of Palm Springs, Calif., could “merit” a berth opposite eight-division king Manny Pacquiao, also holder of the WBO welterweight (147 pounds) and WBC junior middleweight (154 pounds) belts… Lem Satterfield, boxing.fanhouse.com

What Does Boxing Need In 2011? Marketing » Change is never easy, less so in sports.  Nevertheless,  boxing has gone through some major changes in the last hundred years.  First there was the move from bare-knuckle boxing, then the televising of fights, reduction of rounds, and finally, the advent of pay-per-view.  Each of these shifts in how boxing was conducted was met with criticism.  What was boxing with these newfangled padded gloves?  Only thirteen rounds?  How can you watch the fight without being in the crowd?, they complained… Jesse Tangen-Mills, thefastertimes.com