Marquez weighs Golden Boy Promotions’ multifight offer

Juan Manuel Marquez preferred his freedom more than being Erik Morales’ opponent in the main event of Saturday’s card at the MGM Grand Garden.

Marquez refused an offer from Golden Boy Promotions to fight Morales and decided to become a free agent when his contract expired Feb. 28.

Golden Boy president Oscar De La Hoya and chief executive officer Richard Schaefer, however, haven’t given up on keeping Marquez. The three met in Mexico City last week, Schaefer said, and Golden Boy offered the junior welterweight a multifight contract.

“The first fight would be with Zab Judah and, after that, Robert Guerrero (who defeated Michael Katsidis on Saturday on the MGM Grand undercard),” Schaefer said.

That might not be enough to entice Marquez, who has made it clear he wants a third fight with Manny Pacquiao. Given Golden Boy’s icy relationship with Top Rank, which promotes Pacquiao, it’s unlikely the sides could strike a deal.

“We told Marquez we would do everything in our power to make that fight for him,” Schaefer said. “But we’re not going to sign him to a multifight deal, then step aside for Top Rank so he can fight Pacquiao. That’s not the adult way to do business.”

Schaefer said he hopes to hear from Marquez this week, but wouldn’t speculate as to which way Marquez is leaning.

“He listened to what Oscar and I had to say and he told us he would think it over,” Schaefer said. “The next move is up to him.”

■ KHAN IN LAS VEGAS? — Schaefer said if Amir Khan beats Paul McCloskey in England on Saturday, the reigning WBA junior welterweight champion’s next bout could be against Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas on July 23.

“I think Vegas would be the best place for that fight,” Schaefer said, citing the MGM Grand Garden as the likely venue. “You can’t hold it in England because of television (start time), and I don’t think the fight would sell well in California.”

Khan’s last fight in Las Vegas was his 12-round decision over Marcos Maidana at Mandalay Bay on Dec. 11. The crowd was only 4,632, but Schaefer said attendance probably suffered because of the card’s proximity to Christmas and because there had been another card at the MGM Grand two weeks previous.

“I think the summer will produce a bigger live crowd,” he said.

Golden Boy caught a break Thursday when Top Rank pulled its request for July 16 at the MGM. The date was proposed for a Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito rematch, but Margarito is reportedly still healing from the beating he received from Pacquiao on Nov. 13 and might not be cleared to train for a mid-July fight.

■ NEW JUDGE — Bob Bennett of Las Vegas was approved Thursday by the Nevada Athletic Commission to work as a professional boxing judge. He made his pro debut Friday, working two four-round bouts in Primm.

Bennett, 57, worked USA Boxing amateur events for 10 years. His career in law enforcement includes 24 years with the FBI in Las Vegas.

■ STEELE SUSPENDED — Cruiserweight Michael Steele tested positive for steroids and an elevated testosterone level after his first-round technical knockout loss to Aaron Williams on March 11 at Planet Hollywood. Steele has been suspended by the NAC, and his disciplinary hearing is expected this month or in mid-May.

■ PRIMM RESULTS — Las Vegas welterweight Jesse Vargas (15-0) scored an impressive first-round TKO over Vivian Harris on Friday in the main event at Star of the Desert Arena in Primm.

Vargas pounded Harris (29-6-1) with a series of left hooks to the body and head. Harris, after nearly going down twice, declined to come out for the second round of the 10-round fight.

Eddie Gomez (4-0) dominated Roberto Lopez, winning a six-round junior middleweight bout by unanimous decision.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or at 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.