By Miguel Rivera
Former four division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez is still undecided as to the future of his career. The 41-year-old veteran has been dealing with a right knee injury since last May and admits he may be forced to retire if the knee continues to bother him in the gym.
He will be an interested party for the May 2nd welterweight unification between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. Marquez was dominated by Mayweather in a twelve round contest in 2009 and faced Pacquiao four times. The last time they met, Marquez knocked Pacquaio out cold in the sixth round in 2012. Pacquiao has won three fights since.
"It's a big responsibility to say who will win that contest, but if we're talking in boxing terms - Mayweather knows how to handle himself in the ring very well; and even knows how to get his opponent to fight at his pace and he takes advantage of that. Pacquiao's punch and speed will be important, but the main objective is to land his best shots. [Pacquiao is a] very dynamic fighter who likes to turn sideways to not get punched and handles counters well," Marquez said.
"It is difficult to give a conclusion on the result because if the fight [reaches the judges it will] it will undoubtedly be a unanimous decision win for Mayweather. Both have excelled in Las Vegas. Mayweather handles himself very well the distance with the jab, right hands and counters. For [Pacquiao], he will have to move his waist quite often and penetrating his opponent's guard will be vital [to win]."