Pacquiao should fight Mayweather and not me, says Marquez

Manny Pacquiao’s nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez is in agreement with the majority of boxing fans in wanting a fight between the Filipino slugger and the undefeated Floyd Mayweather.

In an interview with Boxing Scene’s Salvador Rodriguez, Marquez reiterated that fighting Pacquiao again is no longer an option for him even as his name is on the list of possible opponents for the Filipino congressman on his April fight in Las Vegas.

“The fifth fight is not going to happen,” Marquez said in the interview. “It’s not even worth it for us because the people are very happy with that knockout.”

In their fourth fight, Marquez finally won over Pacquiao with a sixth round knockout. Marquez was behind on the scorecards and his corner was seriously considering stopping the fight when the counter-puncher landed a picture-perfect right that put Pacquiao to sleep.

Instead of a fifth Pacquiao-Marquez fight, the Mexican is hoping Pacquiao gets a shot at Mayweather. Back in 2009, Marquez tried to blemish Mayweather's immaculate record but he fell short, losing to the American via unanimous decision.

“I hope they make the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. to erase any doubts,” said Marquez. “I think it’s going to be a great fight and the people will be very pleased because they won’t be in suspense on what would have happened if these two fighters had faced each other.”

At 40 years of age, Marquez accepts that he only has one or two fights left before he calls it a career. Right now, a fight against his conqueror Timothy Bradley tops his wishlist.

Trainer Nacho Beristain also said the same in an interview with Boxing Scene’s Ernesto Castallanos. “I talked to Juan Manuel. He said that he has thought about his career and he believes that the only thing that is attractive for him to stay in the ring is a rematch with Bradley,” said Beristain. “He would like to do that fight in Mexico. But if not, Juan is ready to go wherever he is told.”

Because Marquez is gunning for a world title in a fifth division, fighting Pacquiao makes no sense for him as he only holds an international WBO belt. Bradley on the other hand holds the WBO welterweight title.

“Marquez is not interested in another fight against Manny Pacquiao or any other opponent,” Beristain added. “If he does not get Bradley, he will retire from boxing.”