Marquez focuses on Juarez
Marquez will defend his WBC super-featherweight crown against Rocky Juarez on Nov. 3, and told a recent teleconference he’s so focused on the fight that Pacquiao is out of his radar.
“The talk of rematches and the talk about other opponents doesn’t matter to me because I’m 100 percent focused on Rocky Juarez,” said the Mexican champion.
“And I’m not thinking about Manny Pacquiao I know he’s there, but I am not going to think about Manny Pacquiao because I’ve got Nov. 3,” he said of the fight in Arizona.
“I need to fight Rocky Juarez, and that’s all that matters up to this point. I know that I need to win, and I’m going to win. I am going to win. I don’t know in what way,” Marquez added.
The 33-year-old brawler from
But he will have his hands full against Juarez, who also wants a shot at Pacquiao. It’s a must-win fight for Marquez. Otherwise, he goes down the ladder, and end up in a bargain sale.
“I have to fight Manny Pacquiao. I need to fight Rocky Juarez, win over Rocky Juarez. Then the negotiations, I’m just going to leave it there for the negotiations. But for me all that matters is Nov. 3,” he said.
Pacquiao also would love to face Marquez whom he knocked down thrice in the first round of their 2004 showdown in
Top Rank president and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum, however, said the Mexican, under Oscar dela Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, is asking too much to face the Filipino.
“He is asking a big percentage of the money and that would be a huge sacrifice on the part of Manny. Marquez should agree to a flat amount. Or he has disqualified himself,” said Arum.
Pacquiao has better options than fight Marquez, and on top of these is his plan to move up from 130 to 135 lbs, and take a shot at the WBC lightweight title being held by David Diaz.
Or he can fight Edwin Valero, the WBA super-featherweight champion. Or take on Joan Guzman, the WBO super-featherweight king. Or even Humberto Soto, a rising Mexican.
And leave Marquez behind.
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