Manny Pacquiao should forget about Juan Manuel Marquez pronto.
That?s because Marquez is not going to change his mind about giving Pacquiao a chance at redemption despite being offered a hefty purse.
Speaking to the Mexican media a few weeks before he faces Tim Bradley in Las Vegas, Marquez said he is determined to retire from the sport with the memory of his electrifying sixth-round knockout win over the Filipino pride.
?Para nada. No se trata de dinero, es de orgullo, de honor. (Not at all. It?s not about the money. It?s about pride and honor),? said Marquez, who turned 40 years old yesterday.
Marquez said his victory over Pacquiao last year is the culmination of their rivalry that stretches back to their first showdown in May 2004 that ended on a controversial draw.
In their next two meetings, Pacquiao triumphed ? a split decision in March 2008 and a majority decision in Nov. 2011 ? before scoring the biggest victory of his legendary career on Dec. 8, 2012.
Pacquiao is returning to the ring after almost a year-long layoff on Nov. 24 against dangerous Brandon Rios in Macau and a sensational win over the young Mexican-American should ignite talks about a fifth fight with Marquez.
Marquez, meanwhile, is also seeing action and is favored to beat Bradley on Sept. 14 but the crafty counter-puncher insists he is no longer keen on a fifth bout after proving in their last faceoff that he is the better man.
?Pacquiao has been saying a lot of things and you can see that he wants me to take the bait. He wants a fifth fight but it?s not going to happen,? said Marquez.
Marquez was obviously slighted about Pacquiao?s remark that he just landed a lucky punch, which the Mexican insists is not the case.
