By Miguel Rivera
Jose Sulaiman, President of the World Boxing Council, has advised Juan Manuel Marquez (55-6-1, 40KOs) to retire from boxing. He says there is no reason for Marquez, 39-years-old, to continue fighting for the sake of a fifth fight with Manny Pacquiao. Sulaiman feels Marquez can now retire on top after knocking Pacquiao out in six rounds last December in Las Vegas.
Top Rank is very interested in a fifth fight between Marquez and Pacquiao, possibly in the fall in either China or Mexico. Marquez, who wants to continue fighting, has rejected the idea of a fifth fight with Pacquiao, but Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum says the Mexican star is making those kind of comments to receive the biggest offer possible.
"Juan Manuel is a great fighter who won a lot of money and became famous, and fought with several big names including Manny Pacquiao. Undoubtedly with that last victory over Pacquiao, it has taken his career to an immeasurable height, and it is the culmination of a great career for a young Mexican who is 39-years-old and has a very nice family. In my opinion, he should hang up the gloves," Sulaiman said.
"Juan Manuel, he can walk away after knocking out someone who they were calling 'the best fighter in the world.' I'm just giving friendly advice. For what does [he need a fifth fight], it's just to make money. The money is a short-term plan, but at 39-years-old with a very beautiful family - you are raising the level of risk to your health. When you're young it does not matter, but when you are more advanced in age it can be dangerous. My recommendation to Juan Manuel is sincere, respectful, and affectionate. I recommend to everyone [in his position]. I know his family, he is an idol in Mexico, but what you have to look at is his age and one bad punch can remove the happiness from his life in the future. There is no point [to keep fighting], is what I mean."
