By Dan Ambrose: Rather than sitting it out until his big money fight against Manny Pacquiao in November, Juan Manuel Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KO’s) is insisting on a tune-up fight against former IBF lightweight champion David Diaz (36-3-1, 17 KO’s) on July 16th to help get ready for Pacquiao. In part, one of the reasons that Marquez wants to fight Diaz is because, like Pacquiao, Diaz is a southpaw.

However, that’s about the only similarities they have in common and it’s really not enough to be worth the risk that Marquez could suffer an injury or a bad cut and miss out on the Pacquiao fight. There is also a small chance that Marquez could even lose to Diaz. I don’t give it much of a chance of that happening but there is a small chance. But there’s also a possibility that Marquez will look bad in the Diaz fight and struggle to win, and look old in the process.

Marquez is about to turn 38-years-old and he was knocked down in his last fight against Michael Katsidis last November in a 9th round TKO win. Diaz has lost two out of his last four fights, but he’s younger than Marquez and he could make it tough for him to in.

In an article at examiner.com, Marquez states “I would like to fight Diaz. he is left handed and is strong. That will help in my fight with Pacquiao.” I don’t think so. I think it’s a waste of time. If Marquez wants preparation for Pacquiao, he needs to fight a guy with fast hands and good power. Diaz is slow and hasn’t been active since being blown out by Pacquiao in 2008.