By Mark Vester
Former two division champ Juan Manuel Marquez (49-4, 36KOs) is ready for war when he steps in the ring with Juan Diaz (34-1, 17KOs) on February 28 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Marquez is said that he is oozing with motivation to capture his third world title in his third weight division. The fringe IBO lightweight title is on the line, but Eric Gomez, matchmaker for Golden Boy Promotions, has said that a possibility exists for Marquez-Diaz to have the vacant WBO lightweight title on the line.
"I have a winning mentality, I have prepared very well for this fight. I was a champion at featherweight and super featherweight and now I will go for lightweight. On the 28th, I will explode in the ring with so much emotion. To know that there might be two titles at stake puts more importance on this fight," Marquez told ESTO. "Diaz always comes forward, I will be intelligent and ready to take care of anything."
Marquez had a lot of concerns about fighting Diaz in his hometown. Marquez was against Joe Cortez as the ref. He wanted judges from neutral locations but they were already assigned by the time he made a stink about it.
"I asked for neutral judges, but they were already appointed and it is impossible to change them," Marquez said.
Like Barrera and Morales, Marquez is going in the promotional route and is linking up with Golden Boy to run shows in Mexico.
"There are people in charge of my business, Marquez Boxing Promotions, so I could dedicate myself to the gym. I will support the fighters when everything gets up and running. I am in this with the support of Golden Boy. There will be work for all of the fighters," Marquez said.
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