After keeping his mouth shut for quite a while, IBF/WBA featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez finally came out of the open to vocally express his desire to have a rematch with Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao, whom the Mexican dual champion figured in a controversial split draw during their first encounter last year. ?I?m as good as Morales (Erik) and Barrera (Marco Antonio), and just need a good promoter to get me fights against those guys to prove that I belong with the elite boxers of the world. I also want to finish my business with Manny Pacquiao because I know that I beat him,? said Marquez.
In their May 8, 2004 mega-fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Marquez was knocked down three times in the first round by the dynamite-fisted Pacquiao, but courageously survived the brutal punishment on the way to fighting to a highly questionable draw with the General Santos City-native bomber.
Marquez also called on the best fighters today, specially those who keep on avoiding him, to be man enough to take their battles with him on the ring even if this means he would move up to a heavier weight class just to challenge them.
?I can carry the weight easily and usually spar with junior welters and welterweights and can compete at a heavier weight. I just want to start making the money and get the fights that I deserve,? said Marquez.
?To all of the top fighters in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions, we have all worked very hard and the people deserve to see great fights. I?m on my way up and I?m coming to fight anyone who wants a challenge,? he added.
Marquez is currently preparing to defend his titles against perennial contender Victor Polo on May 7.
?All the fighters know that they are going to pay a heavy price if they step into the ring with me. All I can do is continue to work hard, prepare myself, and I?m here to face any of the top fighters in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions. I?m a great fighter, with a very technical style that others just can?t figure out,? he added.
Meanwhile, famed American ring strategist Freddie Roach, Pacquaio?s trainer, is open to the possibility of a Pacquiao-Marquez return bout, but they have Morales first in mind.
?Marquez is still at 126 to that is a no problem fight. With that said, we want Morales over everyone,? said Roach.
Roach said they are going after Marco Antonio Barrera?s two belts if the planned September rematch between Pacquiao and Erik Morales won?t push through.
?I was hoping we could get a rematch right away, but I hear Morales is making other plans so far. We are pushing for a rematch with Morales this September, but if that doesn?t happen, we will go after Barrera?s two belts,? said Roach.
