By Miguel Rivera
Citing inactivity fears, WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez has told reporters that he would prefer to take an interim-fight, if possible, in "July or August" and then face WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in October or November. Marquez is already training in Mexico with Nacho Beristain.
Marquez last fought in November with a stoppage win of Michael Katsidis, but doesn't want to get Pacquiao in the ring for a third time with a one-year gap between fights. Pacquiao faces former three division champion "Sugar" Shane Mosley on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
"I have thought about having a fight before [Pacquiao], because being inactive makes you lose your form. I want to have all of my assets. I'd like to have a fight in July or August so I'll have the right rhythm and [me and Pacquiao] can get have the fight in October or November," Marquez said.
Pacquiao and Marquez fought to a controversial twelve round draw in 2004 and then the Filipino boxer won a disputed twelve round split decision in their 2008 rematch. Marquez has been chasing a trilogy fight for the last three years. He finally received an official offer from Pacquiao's promoter, Top Rank, two weeks ago.
