Marquez eyeing Manny or Tim for next fight

MANILA, Philippines - Juan Manuel Marquez is looking to fight Mike Alvarado in May, and yet it seems he can’t get his mind off Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley.

“He wants the challenge of the Bradley-Pacquiao winner,” Fernando Beltran, who promotes the 40-year-old Mexican, told the Los Angeles Times yesterday.

Marquez, who has held world titles in the featherweight, super-featherweight, lightweight and light-welterweight divisions, is hoping to become the first Mexican champion in five weight classes.

“He wants to make history of a fifth world title in five divisions. If Pacquiao wins he’ll have the belt, and Juan wants it,” Beltran said.

There’s a merry-go-round among the three boxers.

Pacquiao and Marquez have fought four times. After a draw and two close wins, Pacquiao suffered a stunning knockout to the Mexican in December 2012.

Just months before that, Pacquiao also lost to Bradley in a highly controversial contest. On April 12, they will figure in a rematch at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao has recovered from the two losses with a lopsided win over Brandon Rios in Macau last November.

Marquez also faced Bradley in October last year, and Bradley, the undefeated American, came out with impressive victory.

After Marquez’ sensational sixth-round stoppage of Pacquiao, there were calls for a fifth fight between two of the great boxers of this generation.

Marquez quickly thumbed it down, saying there’s no more point in doing a fifth fight, and that he wants the memory of his knockout to last forever.

But he has changed his mind now. Whatever the reason is, Marquez is now saying he wants the winner between Pacquiao and Bradley.

Bradley will stake his WBO welterweight crown against Pacquiao. The winner may just end up fighting Marquez next.

That’s if Marquez survives Alvarado.