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11/22/2024 10:45:02 am

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Juan Manuel Marquez To Fight Early 2015, Manny Pacquiao Fight Still Priority?

Juan Manuel Marquez

(Photo : Reuters) Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico stands in the ring after going 12 rounds with WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley Jr. of the U.S at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 12, 2013. Bradley won by split decision. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BOXING)

Juan Manuel 'Dinamita' Marquez will still make his return in the ring next year, as he plans to get another crack at a world championship belt in fifth different weight division, Mexican promoter Fernando Beltran confirmed in an interview with Ring TV.

The 41-year old Marquez hasn't boxed as of late ever since he landed that devastating right hook that knocked out rival Manny Pacquiao in the sixth round of their welterweight showdown last 2012.

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JuanMa split his last two fights, losing to Timothy Bradley via split decision in their WBO Welterweight clash and scoring a unanimous decision victory over Mike Alvarado last May.

In his next appearance in the ring, Beltran said Marquez might fight much earlier in 2015 possibly against IBF champion Kell Brook of United Kingdom or Bradley, whichever is more attractive.

"Obviously, that's his decision, but he would like to come back sometime early next year. There are a lot of fighters out there for him," Beltran told the Ring. "But he would like to fight the IBF champion, Kell Brook. Or another good fight for him would be the rematch with Timothy Bradley. We think that would be a good fight."

With regards to fighting Pacquiao for the fifth time, Beltran said it's all up to Marquez to decide if he wants to take on his long-time rival one more time. After all, a match with the Pacman is still the most financially-rewarding bout available for Marquez at this point of his career.

Marquez previously stated that his ultimate goal is to face Pacquiao, whom he considered a much better boxer after the Filipino dominated his way to a 12-round unanimous decision win over Bradley last April.

Pacquiao vs. Marquez is always an easy sell for Top-Rank promotions, as the rivalry generated tremendous money at the gates and pay-per-view buys after four highly-contested and intriguing showdowns.

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