Juan Manuel Marquez has told the world several times already that he?s closed the chapter on his rivalry with Manny Pacquiao after a sixth round knockout of the Filipino Icon back in December of 2012. But things change in boxing, and given the ways the stars have aligned for both Hall of Fame superstars, fans could very well see part five of this heated Marquez-Pacquiao rivalry.
The 41-year-old Marquez has been tossing around the idea of a full-time return to the ring in pursuit of his fifth world title in as many divisions?a feat never before achieved by a Mexican fighter. According to the Mexico City native, though, the comeback depended entirely on whether his family would give him their stamp of approval and whether he could physically return from a period of inactivity that is currently at thirteen months and counting.
Reports indicate that Marquez is rehabbing a knee injury at the moment, but that he is also putting in some time sparring in order to gauge his readiness for a return. A comeback, if all goes according to plan, would begin in October or November of this year with a tune-up and then follow to the next year for a run at a major title.
In anticipation of a Marquez comeback, a small line has formed to face the Mexican legend. Again, however, Marquez appears only to be interested in something that would bring him his fifth divisional championship. IBF welterweight titlist Kell Brook would be a reasonably easy fight to sign, as would Brandon Rios, who is rumored to be facing Brook in September. Other than the winner of Brook/Rios and the possibility of a bout with WBA ?regular: champ Keith Thurman, though, no other fight is out there that would satisfy Marquez?s title lust, unless Floyd Mayweather dumps one (or all) of his belts.
And that takes us to Manny Pacquiao, who is currently rehabbing his shoulder and will likely return to action in early 2016.
Pacquiao currently doesn?t have a belt following his loss to Floyd Mayweather last May. But if Mayweather follows through on his promise to retire for good after his upcoming September 12 contest, we should see the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles vacated by the end of the fall. The chances are very good, then, that Pacquaio would find himself able to pick up at least one of those belts in his first fight back.
So, coming into mid-2016, Marquez would have his tune up fight behind him and would likely get a generous rating from all four sanctioning bodies. Pacquiao, meanwhile, would likely own at least one of the Mayweather-vacated belts. The money would be too great for Marquez to resist, as Team Pacquiao would surely need this huge redemption fight after the Mayweather loss and would probably be willing to offer a gigantic purse to Marquez. Also, that fifth divisional title would be right within Juan Manuel?s reach, just another huge right hand away from becoming a reality. How could he turn down part five under those circumstances?
Of course, any attempt to predict the future in the topsy-turvy world of professional boxing is a tougher than tough endeavor. But the stars do seem to be aligning and desperation often changes minds and alters plans.
