By Jhonny Gonzalez

According to manager and trainer Nacho Beristain, WBO/WBA lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez will remain at 135-pounds to make a mandatory defense of his titles against Michael Katsidis. Beristain told reporters in Mexico that his fighter wants to stay in the lightweight division to defend his titles. The date being mentioned in the Mexican press is November 27 on HBO.

Marquez's decision comes as no surprise but it has little to do with him defending his titles. In an earlier story on BoxingScene.com, WBA 140-pound champion Amir Khan said Marquez was asking for too much money to make a fight possible between the two of them for December 11. Khan will probably now defend his title against WBA mandatory Marcos Maidana.