Marquez, whose last fight was against Mike Alvarado in May 2014, bared his plan last April to do a tuneup fight before committing to face Cotto this summer, but now it appears that he is headed for a showdown with Cotto in the fall provided the Puerto RIcan star agrees to go down to the 147 pounds weight limit.
Both Cotto and Marquez have expressed their desire to face each other in the ring but weight issues are now blocking the ongoing fight negotiations which could lead to further delays or adjustments to their individual fight calendars.
“It will happen as long as Cotto makes 147 pounds. I have fought at 147 pounds with Pacquiao. He made 147 and I didn’t. I came in at 143 and 144 – which also means that it is not hard for me to make weight and logic says I would be giving away advantages by coming in at 143 or 144 max, giving a three pound advantage. If Cotto makes 147 pounds, it would happen,” Marquez told ESPN Deportes.
Cotto, who is coming off a unanimous decision win over Canelo Alvarez last November, has been fighting in the middleweight limit for quite some time, and going down to 147 pounds would be difficult for him to do at this time. But the Puerto Rican star has indicated his willingness to go down to 150 catch weight and later agreed to go further down to 148.
“It’s very simple (we fight at 147 pounds). Cotto wanted the fight at 150 pounds, and now it seems that they want it at 148, but for me that pound is very important and a pound of making weight is crucial, because it will create more work for him. He will sacrifice more and there is no advantage for me, but it will cost him more work to get down and he will be a little diminished to make weight – but the next day he’s going to recover. I know that a difference of one pound of weight can make a difference.” Marquez added.
As early as February this year, Marquez had already expressed his desire to face Cotto, but was held back by his knee injury. He believes it is a good fight which will be beneficial to both fighters.
“I think the [fight is a] win-win for both fighters. If you win, then you win over a great fighter. And if you lose, then you also lose to a great fighter. It doesn’t hurt [your career and legacy].” he said.
