Top Rank wanted Juan Manuel Marquez to step inside the squared circle with Manny Pacquiao for a fifth time following Marquez's breakthrough victory over his rival in 2012. Marquez has insisted the door is firmly shut on that saga, but that didn't stop him from offering his opinions on Pacquiao's next fight, with Timothy Bradley on April 12th.
Marquez has fought both men, so his take is a valuable one. "First I want to say that it is an important, interesting fight, because of what happened in the first. In that fight the decision was different from what happened in the ring, and I think Bradley should change his strategy because it did not work from the first fight," Marquez told BoxingScene.
"Pacquiao could fight the same, but it is Bradley who needs to make adjustments. If judges do what needs to be done, Pacquiao should win. If Bradley makes the adjustments, it's going to be a very good fight," Marquez said.
Marquez pined openly for a rematch with Bradley after his loss in 2013. "Dinamita" believes he was robbed of victory in that fight, and called Bradley the only undefeated fighter with two losses-he was referencing Bradley's career-defining victory over Pacman in 2012.
Without a rematch in store, most fans are clamoring for Marquez to take on the "Siberian Rocky" Ruslan Provodnikov. Those fans shouldn't hold their breath. "Provodnikov is a great fighter. He demonstrated that with Bradley, and he's very strong. I think the challenge is there, and I love challenges and will fight anyone, as I have not shunned anyone," Marquez said.
"But right now, at this stage of my career, I want something that will leave a legacy. I want that fifth championship. If that does not present itself, then I'm closer to retirement." Fighting with Provodnikov would not gain me anything," Marquez continued.
"I would be fighting for a title that was already mine before and if I beat him, it won't mean much. I want a transcending fight, something that will be historic."
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