The absurd rumor of a Juan Manuel Marquez-Miguel Cotto catchweight fight is still flying through cyberspace, making both fighters look ridiculous. And in the case of the Mexican star, Marquez, it?s quickly diminishing the impact of his knockout victory over Manny Pacquiao in their fourth and (so far) final encounter back in December of 2012.
Instead of chasing fantasy fights, Marquez would be better off focusing on fights that mean something and fights that actually could be made. Pacquiao would jump at the idea of a part five in the Pacquiao-JMM rivalry and, frankly, Marquez owed him a chance at redemption after getting three shots at overcoming Manny before finally succeeding.
But the Mexican ring technician has flat-out refused to enter the ring with Pacquiao a fifth time, emphasizing that no amount of money would be enough for him to re-open that chapter of his ring life.
It?s poor form to take your win and run, especially after the wars Manny and Juan Manuel have shared in the past.
It?s also bad business from Marquez?s side of things since a Pacquiao fight is still the biggest money fight available to him. With his 43rd birthday fast approaching, the only big fights Marquez stands to land are ones where he?s cannon fodder brought in to lose against a young, hungry lion. If Marquez is serious about continuing with his career, only a fight like one against his Filipino archrival would offer him both a huge paycheck and a realistic chance of coming out on top. With over two years away from the ring and his body slowing down (breaking down), it?s clear that he should be taking this kind of ?senior league? battle.
Realistically, Marquez-Cotto will never get made. Marquez is no junior middleweight and Cotto will never get back down to 147. Supposed negotiations have been bogged down in this one detail of weight for the better part of a year?and that?s before even touching on purse split, venue, date, and all of the other things that go into big fight negotiations.
One gets the suspicion that all the Marquez-Cotto talk is actually little more than a dual public relations push aimed at keeping both inactive fighters in the headlines.
Whatever the case, Marquez better decide fast what he wants to do. One thing is for certain, though?As Marquez?s career languishes and it becomes more and more clear that he?s simply afraid to risk one final loss to Manny, Pacquiao comes off as the greater and braver of the two men.
