Mexican counter-puncher Juan Manuel Marquez has rejected offers to face fellow welterweight fighters Ruslan Provodnikov and Mike Alvarado, two of the rated welterweight challengers who are his stablemates at Bob Arum's Top Rank Promotions.
Not only did Marquez drop these two top challengers in the division but he also dismissed the idea of having a fifth encounter with long-time foe Manny Pacquiao.
Yet Marquez wants two more fights before retiring for good. He also aims to capture a fifth world title before his grand exit after more than 20 years as a professional boxer.
"Neither Alvarado nor Provodnikov are in my plans. I'm going forward," Marquez earlier told Boxingscene. "They are great fighters, and I'm not putting them down, but I gain nothing by fighting with them. If I beat Provodnikov I win a title that was already mine and Alvarado is not a champion. I have nothing to prove. I want a fifth world title and that's my goal."
"Right now I'm knocking on the door of retirement, but I want to have two more fights," Marquez explained. "But, behind that decision is my family, my team, the people who are with you always. Some people who I consider friends, they tell me to stop boxing, and if I decide to do that at this point - I will retire satisfied," he added.
If Marquez wants another world title in the welterweight division, he needs to face Pacquiao again. That is of course if the Filipino star wins over Timothy Bradley in a possible rematch on April 12.
He has at least two more options which could land him a title in the division and that is to face either Marcos Maidana, who currently owns the WBA title, or the new IBF titleholder and former Pacquiao sparring partner Shawn Porter.
In the case of Maidana, it appears that the rematch option in his last contract has been exercised by Adrien Broner and he would have no other option but to face Broner again in a rematch.
Porter, who recently stopped Devon Alexander to win the IBF welterweight title is likely to face Kell Brook, his mandatory challenger, who is unbeaten in 31 fights.
Seemingly, Marquez would have to wait a while in order to have a crack at another major title that he wants before retiring.
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/sports/juan-manuel-marquez
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