By Mark Vester

Former champion Rafael Marquez is still hoping for a fourth fight with Israel Vazquez, and would like the fight to take place by November. There is very little chance in that. Vazquez recently recovered from surgery to correct a detached retina and awaits approval of his boxing license by the California State Athletic Commission. Vazquez would like to return in September or October. I don't see him taking a Marquez fight in his first appearance back in the ring.

Like his rival Vazquez, Marquez has been inactive since last March. He returns to the ring on May 23 in a tuneup against Colombia Jose Francisco Mendoza. The fight takes place at the Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico.

"I hope to do a good fight in Monterrey, and look good to the public. And then go for a world title. I know very little about Mendoza, but I'll get to know him in the ring," Marquez told ESTO.

Marquez said that he spoke to Vazquez during a trip to California. He knows Vazquez is moving up to featherweight. Marquez is willing to take a big fight at super bantam or featherweight. If he can't get a fight with Vazquez, he wants to fight WBO super bantamweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez.

"I can fight at super bantamweight or featherweight, and I will take a world championship fight or a great fight at either weight. I spoke to Israel and I think that he is definitely going to featherweight," Marquez said.

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