By Miguel Rivera
According to Hall of Fame coach Nacho Beristain, who trains former four division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez (56-7-1, 40KOs), the Mexican legend has not showed up to train for several weeks and retirement now appears to be more likely.
Marquez, who turned 43-years-old last month, has been inactive since a May 2014 decision victory over Mike Alvarado at the Forum in Los Angeles, California.
Several returns dates have been discussed, but they never came together. The veteran had been dealing with a bad knee for over a year.
A few months ago, Marquez claimed that his knee was a lot better and he was targeting a ring return for May or June. Based on his previous outline, he wanted to have a tuneup bout against a ranked opponent in the summer and then he wanted a major fight in the fall.
That tuneup never came and his planned return in the fall fell apart. He was in talks to face fellow former four division champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico. The two sides were unable to agree to a catch-weight and eventually broke off negotiations.
Marquez was training up until a month ago at the Romanza gym and then stopped.
"About a month ago he did three or four workouts and has not returned. I think it's his right to enjoy his family. He has a well-integrated family, living in the United States and only comes to Mexico every week for [business]. In that respect I believe that it's going to be tough to get back into training camp again," Nacho told ESPN Deportes.
"But if he does have a fight, let us hope so that's its a farewell [contest]. He is indebted to the US Mexicans, and he could make a fight for them because they were the ones who supported him all the time. I don't think he is going to lose the passion for boxing, because he is a dedicated fighter. When he is training he does it seriously. A training camp of a month and a half will be enough, but first I wish for him make a decision [on his future] - and if it's retirement then I congratulate him."