Juan Manuel Marquez passed up what could have been the perfect ending to a legendary career in order to face Cathedral City boxer Timothy Bradley and regain something he felt has been his all along.
In a 20-year career, Marquez has emerged as one of Mexico?s greatest champions, and certainly the best of this generation of boxers. His four fights with Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao will go down as one of the sports? greatest rivalries.
In December, Marquez finally got his first victory in four fights against Pacquiao, catching him with a right that knocked him out cold. It was the most convincing victory in the rivalry, but Marquez contends he won the previous three.
In an exclusive telephone interview with The Desert Sun on Thursday, he felt his knockout victory wasn?t enough. One thing was missing, the WBO welterweight title.
?Knocking out Pacquiao would have been a great ending, but there are things I have to do before I end my career, and one of them is to win that fifth title,? Marquez said from Mexico City through a translator. ?I felt I won it in 2011 when I met Manny. I felt I became a five-time world champion, but the judges didn?t give it to me. That lingers on my mind. When I was able to finish that great fight with Pacquiao, and the opportunity came up to try and regain that title, which I believe is mine.?
The 2011 fight against Pacquiao was a majority decision that went against Marquez. After the fight, fans booed so loudly that they drowned out the in-ring interview.
Before Marquez could get another shot at winning the welterweight title, Pacquiao lost his title to Bradley in 2012.
On Oct. 12 in Las Vegas, Marquez will face Bradley to cement his legacy.
But it won?t be easy for the 40-year-old Marquez, who will be going against an athletic boxer who is 10 years younger.
?It?s a big challenge, and I think it?s a good time for me to do something like this,? Marquez said. ?That?s why I train so hard and work so hard. I do want it so badly.
?He represents a big challenge for me right now. He?s undefeated and he has a world title. This is a challenge I need in my career this time.?
