Juan Manuel Marquez has set his sights on putting on a performance every bit as good as the one Manny Pacquiao’s against David Diaz when he fights linear lightweight champion Joel Casamayor on Saturday night.
Marquez (48-4-1, 35 KOs) was widely thought to have been unlucky to lose a points decision and his WBC super featherweight title to Pacquiao in March and since then had to watch while the Philippines star produced a master-class to beat Diaz and earn the golden ticket in boxing by meeting Oscar De La Hoya on December 6.
The Mexican fighter, who aims to put on a show for his countrymen on their Independece Day, is looking to become a three-weight world champion against a fighter he believes is superior to Diaz.
Although after his two classic bouts with Pacquiao, the first of which ended as a draw, there will always be talk of them fighting again, Marquez insists for now he only has eyes for his 37-year-old Cuban opponent.
“I wanted us to fight with Manny Pacquiao because I wasn?t happy with that decision,” Marquez said. “But, now I can tell you I?m happy with this fight. Obviously by taking this fight I?m looking forward to fighting bigger fights, bigger fights and I will fight the best in any division.
“Well first of all I can tell you that Manny Pacquiao knows that on the second fight something strange happened in the decision.
“But, I can tell you that while I?m fighting at 135 pounds, Joel Casamayor is one of the best 135 pounders. I?m going to prove it to the people and I?m going to prove it to myself that I can do better things in higher divisions. And obviously, if I get the victory on this fight I?m going to prove it, I?m going to keep proving that I?m good in any division.
“Manny Pacquiao fought David Diaz, he was a champion yes, but not a top fighter in the 135 pound division. But I?m going to prove it the people that I?m the best 135 pounder out there.”
Marquez admits that he will be an interested spectator when Diaz meets De La Hoya and perhaps unsurprisingly, is backing his promoter to come out on top.
“That?s a fight that everybody wants to see, everybody is talking about it now,” Marquez added. “Obviously I support the Mexican. I support Oscar. Oscar is my promoter and obviously I?m behind him. But, I think it will be a great, great fight.
