By Mark Vester

Top Rank's Bob Arum says the record needs to be set straight in the lightweight division. Last weekend in Austin, Texas, knockout king Edwin Valero (25-0, 25KOs) captured the WBC lightweight title by stopping Antonio Pitalua in two rounds. Now Valero has set his sights on the big names at the weight. One name in particular is WBO/WBA champion Juan Manuel Marquez.

Marquez is likely to jump to 140-pounds to challenge the winner of the May 2 bout between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton. Arum says that Marquez should fight Valero, with the winner facing Pacquiao. According to Arum, Valero is winning to fight Marquez anywhere, including Mexico.

"I believe in my heart that Edwin Valero is the best lightweight in the world. Juan Manuel Marquez may challenge that. He has a couple of lightweight titles, but he's always talking about fighting Manny Pacquiao. So I send this message. If he wants to fight Manny Pacquiao, fight this guy next [Valero]. Fight this guy next because Manny only wants to fight the best lightweight in the world," Arum said.

"If Marquez wants, we'll fight him in Mexico, Mexico City, Azteca Stadium, Tijuana. Any place, any city in Mexico that he wants. Any city in Mexico because I believe in Edwin Valero."

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