The handlers of Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez are working on a deal for a fourth fight between the sluggers on Oct. 17. It would be a pay-per-view event and probably would take place in Las Vegas.

Jaime Quintana, Marquez’s manager, said he rejected an offer that gave Vazquez a 60-40 split of the purse but said an agreement can be reached if Vazquez agrees to go 50-50.

Frank Espinoza, Vazquez’s manager, said he planned to discuss Quintana’s response with Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions. Vazquez is co-promoted by Golden Boy and Sycuan Ringside Promotions.

Espinoza believes Vazquez deserves more money because he won the second and third fights in their thrilling trilogy.

Is Vazquez willing to budge?

“That’s something I’ll discuss with Richard,” Espinoza said. “If the numbers are right, yeah, it will happen. If not, it won’t.”

Quintana is optimistic.

“I think there’s a good chance of making the fourth fight happen,” he said. “The only thing we need to do is look out for what’s best for both fighters. They both deserve to make a lot of money. … I think it’s going to happen. Richard is reasonable. Espinoza is a businessman. The fighters want the fight.

“We have all the ingredients. Let’s make the cake.”

The ingredients must include that 50-50 split, however.

“Rafael won’t agree if it’s not 50-50,” Quintana said. “And I won’t agree to a situation like that because I know it’s wrong.”

The fighters and their handlers would be wise to get it done. Where else could Vazquez and Marquez make the money they’d make fighting each other?


Michael Rosenthal can be reached at RingTVeditor@yahoo.com