LOS ANGELES – Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez will defend his World Boxing Council super featherweight crown against Filipino star Manny Pacquiao next March 15 at Las Vegas, promoters announced here Thursday.

The bout, backed by Golden Boy promotions, is a rematch of a 2004 draw in which Pacquiao knocked Marquez to the canvas three times in the first round. One judge scored the fight for each boxer and the third had the matchup even.

Marquez, 34, is 48-3 with one drawn and 35 knockouts while Pacquiao, who turns 29 next month, is 45-3 with two drawn and 35 knockouts.

Marquez is 19-1-1 since 1999, the lone defeat a unanimous decision loss to Indonesian Chris John in March of 2006. Pacquiao is 19-1 with two drawn in the same span, losing only a unanimous decision to Mexican Erik Morales in 2005.

Pacquiao has won six fights in a row, the most recent a 12-round decision over Barrera last month.

Marquez has won four fights in a row, taking the WBC crown from compatriot Marco Antonio Barrera last March and defending against American Rocky Juarez earlier this month.*AFP

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