Pacquiao‘s most heartbreaking loss of his career spanning two decades happened when he suffered a devastating knockout loss against Marquez during their fourth encounter in 2012.
After three years of waiting for a chance to avenge his loss, a fifth encounter with the Mexican ring hero is now a possibility.
This developed as Marquez was reported to have expressed his desire to face former Pacquiao foe Miguel Cotto later this year after Marquez’s planned tune-up fight in May.
It appears that Marquez’ knee injury has been healed after about two years of therapy. Marquez admitted while the therapy was in progress that he was entertaining the idea of retiring if his knee injury persists.
“I do not want to retire, but if the body does not allow me I will be forced into retirement. I know the fans want to see me [in the ring], but if the physical does not answer me, I’ll have to leave things alone.” Marquez said.
Marquez’ last fight happened in May 2014 against former light welterweight titlist Mike Alvarado which he won by a unanimous decision.
Regarding his comeback plan, Marquez said he had talks with Cotto’s camp for a possible clash late this year but Cotto wanted a fight in June this year.
“I talked to Cotto’s people and told them about my situation and what I want,” said Marquez who is turning 42 in August.
“It appears that Cotto wants to fight in June and I want to fight in May because two years of inactivity is a very important factor,” he added.
Marquez is bent on having a tune up fight in May so he could do away with the ring rust that had accumulated during his long layoff.
“I have to get on pace with a fight in May and then why not consider a fight with Cotto in September or October?”
While Marquez has stated that he won’t give Pacquiao an opportunity to avenge his loss, he could have a change of mind if the real opportunity for another lucrative fight presents.
Marquez knows that a Pacquiao fight is proven money maker. A fifth encounter with Pacquiao would definitely give him a bigger purse than a fight against Cotto.
Boxing fans have been salivating for a fifth Pacquiao-Marquez fight knowing that it will be another entertaining bout. It will also give Pacquiao another chance to prove his worth.
Pacquiao has accepted his KO defeat against Marquez but he said he got overconfident because he was winning and was in fact on the verge of knocking out Marquez before he was knocked out by the Mexican in the closing seconds of the sixth round.
Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters would be delighted to hear about Marquez’ decision to resume fighting.
Arranging a fight between Pacquiao and Marquez is the easiest thing to do for Arum, who has been looking forward to the day when Marquez would be ready to fight after close to two years of therapy.