Marquez says “I hurt him [Pacquiao] badly”

By Chris Williams: WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (51-5-1, 37 KO’s) fights Michael Katsidis (27-2, 22 KO’s) on Saturday night, but the fighter that Marquez really would like to fight take on is Manny Pacquiao.

After fighting Pacquiao to a stand still in two fights with many neutral unbiased boxing fans feeling that Marquez should won both of the fights, Marquez finds himself as one of Pacquiao’s backup options should his dream fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. fail to materialize next year.

Marquez wants the fight, saying in an article at the LA Times, “Of all the fighters Pacquiao has fought lately, I’m the only guy who almost knocked him out. I hurt him badly, hit him harder than he’s ever been hit. It’s easy for them to mention my name as someone they’ll fight. If it’s that easy, then give me the third fight. Let’s see who’s the best.”

Well, it’s perhaps for that reason alone that Marquez isn’t the number 1 option for Pacquiao. He may have fought Pacquiao too effectively for his own good, as two years have been allowed to elapse between their last fight in 2008, and Marquez has gotten a little older and Pacquiao a little bigger.

Now, if Marquez wants the fight with Pacquiao, not only does Marquez have to wait in line, but he also will have to agree to fight Pacquiao at the full 147 pounds of the welterweight division.

There won’t be any catch weight allowances afforded to Marquez from Pacquiao’s side, if what his trainer Freddie Roach is true. Pacquiao has been able to get fighters Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito to fight him for titles at catch weight handicaps, but it doesn’t look like Marquez will get a similar handicap to fight Pacquiao.

Marquez doesn’t care. He doesn’t need handicaps to fight. He’ll take the fight and if he’s smart, he’ll come in lean at 135, and let Pacquiao bulk up to whatever weight. It likely won’t make any difference because Marquez really has Pacquiao’s number.

However, my guess is Pacquiao won’t get anywhere near Marquez anytime soon. Instead, look for Pacquiao to fight either 39-year-old Shane Mosley or Andre Berto next. Marquez will age some more and perhaps when he’s 38 or 39, Pacquiao might finally face him. I can see Pacquiao winning at that point, but now. Marquez still has too much left in the tank for Manny to beat him.