By Jason Kim: WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KO’s) is looking to take a tune-up fight in July before a likely rematch with Manny Pacquiao during the winter. Speaking with the Record, the 37-year-old Marquez said he’s looking for a competitive match-up with someone that will interest boxing fans. Marquez doesn’t say who that fighter will be, but you have to figure that it will be at least a recognizable fighter for hardcore fans, someone that can really bring but not necessarily someone good enough to cause Marquez any real problems.
It might be dangerous for him to take on a welterweight at this point, even though his fight with Pacquiao will be held at welterweight for his World Boxing Organization title.
Marquez says that he still has to work out the conditions for his fight with Pacquiao with Top Rank. One would hope that their fight would involve a catchweight for Marquez, because unlike Pacquiao, he’s been fighting at lightweight recently and not welterweight. Marquez was offered $5 million for the Pacquiao fight by Top Rank. Golden Boy Promotions, which promoted Marquez until his fight contract recently ran out, has the ability to match whatever Top Rank offers to him. Golden Boy recently offered Marquez a fight with one of their rising stars WBC junior middleweight champion Saul Alvarez. The fight would take place at 147, and not 154. It would be a tough fight for Marquez, but one which would still be interesting. However, that fight offer isn’t likely going to make Marquez change his mind about wanting to fight Pacquiao. The Alvarez fight just isn’t a huge fight right now because Alvarez isn’t on the same level as Pacquiao.
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