By Chris Williams: WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez has previously fought Manny Pacquiao twice in his career, and given all he could handle in both fights. Many fans believe that Marquez won both of the bouts, and I’m in agreement with that. However, Pacquiao and his promoter Bob Arum don’t appear to be willing to fight Marquez a third time, perhaps knowing it’s wise not to attempt fate against the bruising Mexican counter puncher. Marquez has shown the ability to make Pacquiao look bad and nothing has probably changed on that end despite Marquez being two years older at 37 since they last fought in 2008.

In an article by Ricardo Lois at examiner.com, he quotes Marquez as saying this in his weekly ESPN program Deportes Golpe a Golpe: “Arum and Pacquiao’s comments are illogical. They are saying that for their possible opponents [Floyd] Mayweather is number one, [Shane] Mosley is number two, [Andre] Berto is number three, and I’m number four. That does not bother me, because I can see I’m a nail stuck in their shoe and I won the first two fights. Their avoiding me for a third fight.”

It’s pretty clear that they’re avoiding Marquez. It makes no sense for Pacquiao to be matched up against guys like Antonio Margarito and Joshua Clottey, neither of which were popular fighters in terms of pay-per-view and fans, which is what Arum is suddenly focused on, and both of them had been beaten up not long before going into their fights with Pacquiao. They weren’t looking like world beaters at the time they were put in with Pacquiao. Right now Marquez is looking great, having beaten Juan Diaz and Michael Katsidis in his last two fights. However, Marquez may have blown his chance at a fight with Pacquiao by looking too good in his his win over Katsidis.

Pacquiao’s next opponent is going to be 39-year-old Shane Mosley, who has looked horrid in his last two fights. It’s hard to believe that Pacquiao is being matched up against Mosley at this point because Pacquiao just finished beating up on two fighters that many people felt didn’t belong in the same ring with him. Now it’s going to be an old guy. Why not Marquez? Your guess is as good as mine.