Following his exciting knockout victory over Juan Diaz, 35 year old lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez was asked about his future.
“Mayweather,” said Marquez. “He is a great fighter. Manny Pacquiao does not want to fight me. I want the best pound for pound fighter.”
Manny Pacquiao is considered the pound for pound best fighter in the world after defeating Marquez in a 2007 rematch, then defeating fringe lightweight titlist David Diaz and welterweight once was Oscar De La Hoya in 2008. Yet following his second defeat to Pacquiao, Marquez moved up in weight himself and knocked out Diaz and Joel Casamayor, two of the best lightweights in the world, in convincing fashion.
Pacquiao might hold claim to the pound for pound best, but after a stunning come from behind knockout over a younger and stronger Juan Diaz, Marquez can lay a strong claim to the mythical pound for pound crown.
Mayweather is not a factor in the pound for pound equation after leaving the sport following a December, 2007 knockout victory over Ricky Hatton.
Marquez’s comments are another public barb directed at Pacquiao who has shown little or no interest in a third fight with the Mexico City standout.
If Pacquiao can defeat Hatton on May 2nd, the boxing world will call for a third clash between the Mexican and Filipino gladiators and Marquez will look to remove the throbbing thorn Pacquiao has left in his kingly paw.
For now Manny Pacquiao is 1A on the pound of pound list and Marquez is just a notch below at 1B.
