By Luis Sandoval
Juan Manuel Marquez found success in a familiar place as he defeated Mike Alvarado in the inaugural boxing match at the newly refurbished Forum in Inglewood, CA. The win puts Marquez on a collision course once again with rival Manny Pacquiao who holds the WBO Welterweight title that Marquez covets.
The Welterweight title that Pacquiao holds is what Marquez needs to make history and become the first Mexican fighter to win titles in five different divisions. In turn, Pacquiao wants his fifth fight with Marquez to redeem himself after getting knocked out cold in their fourth meeting in 2012.
The hot question since Marquez’s victory is if he’ll go back on his word and give Pacquiao a fifth fight after saying he was content with his knockout victory over the Filipino superstar.
“I think we’re going to rest before making a decision and before we say we want to sign and close that fifth fight. We’re going to rest and celebrate this triumph with my family since I practically didn’t see them for 3 ½ months. I’m anxious to be with them” said Marquez.
Marquez and Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum is already talking about staging the fight in Macau China where Pacquiao fought Brandon Rios last November.
Marquez was asked what it would take to get him to fight Pacquiao again but Marquez says all he needs at the moment is rest and time to make a very important decision in his career.
“Nothing. I think we need to rest first and make a decision with a cool head and be with my family. After that we’ll see what’s next. Before I make a decision and say I want the fifth fight I want to think it over very well. I think it’s going to be a difficult and hard decision but we have to think it over” Marquez would say after his fight.
Marquez made it clear his sole goal left in the sport is to win a Welterweight title. With Pacquiao being the only Top Rank fighter with a world title at 147 and Golden Boy and Top Rank still in the process of patching things up, Marquez’s options seem pointed in only one direction.
You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter & Instagram @Truewest007.
