By Ryan Burton

A few weeks ago an article ran on BoxingScene.com in which four division champion Juan Manuel Marquez said that he was interested in facing the IBF and WBA welterweight world champions. Marquez had been angling for a rematch against WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley but those plans were put on hold when the Californian agreed to face Manny Pacquiao on April 12th in Las Vegas.

Marquez turned down a fight against WBO junior welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov, saying that a championship in a fifth weight class (welterweight) was the only way he can motivate himself to return to the ring.  

The champions that Marquez mentioned are Shawn Porter, who hold the IBF title, and Marcos Maidana, who holds the WBA version. Maidana, however, must face Adrien Broner in a rematch of the Argentine's dominating victory that took place this past December.

BoxingScene.com recently spoke to Porter who revealed that he had hoped to face Maidana next. Porter believes that Broner is capable of making the adjustments needed to defeat Maidana in their next go round that is tentatively slated for the second quarter.  

"I have a bitter taste.  I really wanted that Maidana fight but I honestly think that Broner can make the adjustment. This is boxing though.  Anything can happen so we will see," Porter explained.

The Las Vegas based Porter's eyes perked up when I relayed the comments that Marquez made about facing him. While the fight is very unlikely with Porter aligned with Golden Boy Promotions and Marquez signed to Zanfer and Top Rank, the undefeated Porter said he would definitely be interested in that fight if it became a possibility.

"I was surprised to hear that.  That is a fight I would take in a heartbeat.  I would love to fight him.  I think I have what it takes to beat him. Youth is on my side.  I don't think it is just athleticism though. We will beat him with our brains as well," Porter told BoxingScene.com.

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