Mexican counter-puncher Juan Manuel Marquez won’t be able to act like a diva in enticing his opponent as soon as Manny Pacquiao wins over Timothy Bradley via knockout in their reported showdown over at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 12. No official announcement has been made yet on the reported rematch between Pacquiao and Bradley but in the Pacquiao shortlist of possible opponents, only Bradley remains in the list. Pacquiao has been chasing Marquez for a fifth fight following his stunning knockout loss to the Mexican counter-puncher in Dec. 2012 but Marquez continues to act like a diva, saying he will never fight Pacquiao again. But critics know that Marquez is just stalling and waiting for promoter Bob Arum to put the price tag on the table. Arum was reported earlier to be weighing his options because Marquez wants a figure that is way up the mark. Marquez knows that a fifth fight with Pacquiao will be a record-purse breaker and it will be his most lucrative fight ever. Win or lose, he can retire in heaven and still be remembered as one of the finest fighters in boxing history even with a loss. The Mexican has been pestering Bradley for a rematch in an apparent quest for fifth division title if he can snatch Bradley’s WBO welterweight crown. But in the event that Pacquiao prevails over Bradley in the reported April 12 fight, Marquez will have no recourse but to chase Pacquiao once more in his quest for another title. Then it would be Pacquiao’s turn to keep the title away from Marquez by letting him suffer the waiting game. Pacquiao can hold on to the title for a year and more so long as he keeps on winning. At the end of the day, Marquez will lose a rare opportunity to bag another lucrative fight with Pacquiao and at the same time miss the chance of winning another division title. Marquez has rejected fight offers from Ruslan Provodnikov and Mike Alvarado, who are his stablemates at Arum’s Top Rank Promotions. ?The best option for me is that rematch with Bradley and undoubtedly that?s my goal, but first I must decide if I continue boxing,? Marquez said to The Record via eastsideboxing.com. ?Neither Alvarado nor Provodnikov are in my plans?I?m going forward. I gain nothing fighting with them,? he added. Having rejected two of the leading welterweight contenters, Marquez is left with little recourse but to consider a fight against former Pacquiao foe Brandon Rios, who is nursing a six months suspension for reported illegal drug use. Read more.
