Marquez trims Juarez, wants Pacquiao next

TUCSON, Arizona – Juan Manuel Marquez defended his World Boxing Council super featherweight title with a 12-round decision over Rocky Juarez at the Desert Diamond Casino here on Saturday.

Marquez, who suffered a hand injury in training which led to a postponement, won on all three judges scorecards, 118-110, 117-111, 120-108.

Marquez (48-3-1 35 KOs) is hoping his victory leads to a rematch with Filipino fireball Manny Pacquiao.

Juarez (27-4, 19 KOs) suffered a cut over his left eye in the first round and couldn’t stop the bleeding for the entire fight. Juarez won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

“I had great preparation for this fight,” Marquez said. “I have worked very hard for four months, and now I want Manny Pacquiao, but he doesn’t want to fight me.”

The 27-year-old American Juarez suffered his third loss in five fights.

“This is the first fight that I got cut and had blurred vision because of it,” Juarez said. “I knew from the second when we bumped heads that it was going to be bad.

“Never at one point did I want to stop the fight. The cut did affect me though, because it throws off your game plan. You’re worried about knocking heads again, so it limits your strategy.”

Marquez defeated Mexican compatriot Marco Antonio Barrera in March to claim the crown.

Pacquiao sent Marquez to the canvas three times in the first round of their 2004 bout but had to settle for a draw.

On the undercard, IBF world featherweight champion Robert Guerrero scored a first round knockout of Martin Honorio.

Guerrero connected with a straight left that put Honorio on the canvas after just 56 seconds.  (AFP)