By Ernesto Catellanos, notifight.com
Former four division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez is in the final stages of his preparation to face Mike Alvarado in an HBO televised main event on May 17 at The Forum in Los Angeles, California. Marquez has bags ready to fly over to California on Sunday, accompanied by his manager/trainer Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain and other members of his team.
"This fight will be a turning point in my career. It depends on the result and how I look, to outline my future. It could be the fight that decides that I'm done with boxing, or if I stay longer. It's a good test, and against a great fighter like Alvarado. They are talking about a fifth meeting with Manny Pacquiao, where I can capture my fifth world championship in a different division - but that is all up in the air. First we have to get out of this," Marquez said.
"I know Alvarado, I know who he is. This is a real adversary. He's brave, strong, hits hard and he's a good boxer. From one round to another he can completely change. I'm well prepared to face him. I worked hard for two and a half months for this commitment, so the audience will see a great match."
"I keep saying, the fight to do is Manny Pacquiao against Floyd Mayweather, which is interesting to everyone - more so than a fifth fight with Pacquiao against myself. As I say, I do not know if I will retire after this commitment. My family is insisting me that I leave boxing for my health and for them, and they feel this is the right moment to devote my time to them: time which I haven't been able to give to them because of this work."
Marquez said the fight against Alvarado is at a catch-weight of 144 pounds, but he plans to a weigh a little lighter.
"I'm going up at 143 pounds, no more, that's my ideal weight," Marquez said.