MANILA, Philippines – Juan Manuel Marquez will have Manny Pacquiao at the back of his mind when he faces Michael Katsidis today in Las Vegas.
Over the last few days, talks of a third match between Marquez and Pacquiao seemed to outweigh the battle on hand.
But it’s no surprise because for Marquez, a third fight with the Filipino icon is all he wants right now.
The Mexican counterpuncher said it’s one of those fights people need to see.
Marquez, at 37 still armed and dangerous, said he’s willing to fight Pacquiao at 147 lb.
“If it comes to that, then, you know what, no problem,” Marquez told BoxingScene.com.
“I don’t want to have to go 147, but if he weighs 147, yes, I’ll even go to 147,” said Marquez, who had hoped to face Pacquiao at a catchweight of 140 to 145 lb.
Marquez finds no reason agreeing to fight Pacquiao at the welterweight limit of 147 when the reigning pound-for-pound champion would tip the scales lower than that.
Pacquiao has fought Oscar dela Hoya, Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey as a welterweight, but each time he never got to 147 for the weigh-in. For his super-welterweight clash with Antonio Margarito he came in at 144.6 lb.
But Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said his fighter won’t go any lower or higher than 147 for his next fight.
“We would have to fight at 147, or else, all of those fights won’t happen,” said Roach.
And those fights include the one that keep on getting away, the superfight with Floyd Mayweather. Or a possible clash with Shane Mosley or Andre Berto.
“I’m not going to let Manny fight below welterweight. It’s 147. We found that when Manny can eat, he’s comfortable and doesn’t have to worry about making weight,” Roach said.
“But I’m not going to make him struggle to make any weight. So he’s going to fight at 147. That’s now his natural weight, and that’s where we’re going to campaign at,” the celebrated trainer added.
It’s all up to Marquez. And it seems he’s taking it.
“My priority is that third fight [with Pacquiao], but it is not just my priority, it is the priority of Mexican fans, Filipino fans, and of all boxing fans,” Marquez said.
“Pacquiao is a strong fighter. His speed is incredible and he has respectable punching power. I believe in our first two fights I have proved that if you fight him at the same rhythm, same speed, providing counter-punches, and using side to side movement, you can beat him,” he said.
“I have demonstrated it on two occasions.”
Marquez had faced Pacquiao twice, the first in 2004 and the second in 2008. The first one ended in a draw, and the second was a split decision for Pacquiao, a battle for the WBC super-featherweight crown.
Pacquiao’s victory over Marquez was as controversial as the draw, and this is the reason why the Mexican, down on the canvas four times against Pacquiao, wants a third fight.
He claims to have the formula to beat Pacquiao.
Perhaps he thinks he can use it now – if given another chance.
Abac Cordero, Philippine Star
