Juan Manuel Marquez will fight Manny Pacquiao on November 12 and instead of going 350 days in between fights – having defeated Michael Katsidis on November 27, 2010 – the Mexican lightweight champion is stuck on fighing David Diaz on July 16.
Though a loss to Diaz could take a significant amount of luster away from his third fight with Pacquiao, Marquez feels Diaz has characteristics that will help him in preparing to fight Pacquiao.
“I would like to fight with Diaz,” said Marquez. “He is left handed (like Pacquiao) and is strong. That will help in my fight with Pacquiao.” Advertisement
And though Marquez wants Diaz, the American fighter is holding out for more money.
“The problem is,” said Marquez, “he is asking for a lot of money to sign a fight.”
The exact amount, Marquez would not state.
A Marquez – Diaz clash would likely take place in Mexico, where Juan Manuel has promoted fight cards and it has been speculated the bout would be televised here in the United States.
Diaz fought Pacquiao in 2008, taking a beating from the Filipino, and since then has three times with a 1 win and 2 loss record.
It is not clear if the Pacquiao – Marquez fight would go through if Marquez were to lose to Diaz.
Marquez has started to train in Mexico City with his long-time coach “Nacho Beristain” and as also enlisted the help of a medical team to assist him in gaining the necessary weight to fight Pacquiao at 144 pounds.
