Ethan Miller - Getty Images
Juan Manuel Marquez wants one more shot at Manny Pacquiao, but says it has to happen this year, as he plans to retire at the end of 2012. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Mexican boxing superstar Juan Manuel Marquez says he has plants to retire from the ring at the end of 2012, with or without a fourth fight against Manny Pacquiao -- but he's definitely hoping to take one final shot at his Filipino rival.
From Ernesto Castellanos and Miguel Rivera:
"My plans are already set. This is my last year in boxing, and if the fight with Pacquiao gets done, the that's great, but I will not wait around until he chooses to do it. If we fight, fine. Otherwise, my retirement has already been decided."
It's a logical stance from a veteran fighter who realizes his age and doesn't want to go forever. In other words, it's a fairly unusual stance -- at least for now, anyway, as boxing retirement talk comes and goes with the changing of the seasons.
Marquez (53-6-1, 39 KO) lost a hotly debated majority decision to Pacquiao in November, a fight that many felt he deserved to win. And it's certainly not a majority or anything like that, but there are people who out there who truly believe Marquez should be 3-0 against Pacquiao, rather than the 0-2-1 the records state.
Either way, though, he's going to retire as Manny Pacquiao's all-time greatest rival. Over 36 rounds of action in 2004, 2008, and 2011, the two could hardly be separated on the scorecards, with the all-time tally for the official judges over three fights being Pacquiao: 1,024 vs Marquez: 1,017. It really just does not get any closer than that. It's mind-boggling how even they've been over three fights, in three very different times for each man, in three different weight classes, with nine different judges.
Marquez says he's still targeting a fight with David Diaz in April as his next outing, but the date has apparently changed from April 14 to April 21 (it started as a March 17 fight), which would conflict with Golden Boy's planned show in Mexico City featuring Abner Mares. After that, there's been persistent talk that he'll fight July 14 at Cowboys Stadium, but that appears to be more a pipe dream than anything, as there just aren't any suitable opponents for him in that type of show, or at least there don't appear to be at the moment. (Brandon Rios says he'll take it, but that might not be doable with the schedule the way it is, as Rios is expected to fight on April 14 on HBO.)
0 recs | 14 comments
Good idea if he follows through
He should go out on his greatest high. It won’t get any better than it is right now.
pakinpower - February 14, 2012
Man, it would be a damn shame if JMM retires without an official win over Manny. He has legit arguments for winning all three fights, especially the third.
Verklemptomaniac - February 14, 2012
On the other hand, the third was his best effort and he has that to hold on to. If they go at it again, there is just as good a chance that he gets knocked down (for what would be the 5th time in 4 fights) and loses closely as there is a that they fight even closer than ever before.
He fought his masterpiece once. Not the first two fights. Just the third. Why spoil it.
I say that because I don’t think he will ever score a KD against MP but I do think that Manny could and would be trying to score that and more the next time…and he may based on history.
Even if the fight is close (as it would be), the perfection of his executed strategy in the 3rd fight will be somewhat forgotten by the last.
Either way, I wish him the best in whatver his decision.
pakinpower - February 14, 2012
I agree, boxing fans will remember how good he was when compared to Manny. And Manny being the more notable boxer; when they talk about his legacy they will have to mention Marquez, and the PR foolishness with Floyd.
Clove_art - February 15, 2012
When they talk about Ali ...in his lifetime
They talked about Norton all but beating him three times.
And he actually broke Ali’s jaw to boot..
But guess what, the losers are soon forgotten to the ones that have the W on their record. Stick around, it’s a historic pattern. Manny will retire a susperstar remembered by remarkable achievements and wins over Marquez.
Marquez will always be the one that almost got him….but didnt.
Nobody said life is fair. But check the record books. Wins and wins. Losses are losses.
pakinpower - February 16, 2012
Ali actually finished his rivals...
And Ali had wins that were actually are more memorable than his losses. Pacquiao had some great wins himself, but a lot of people saw those tough fights with Marquez. And the press and people are a lot more informed now than then. What people have proven is that they are more forgiving of antics outiside sports than losses or near losses.
Example, patriots vs raiders… The tuck rule. Or lakers vs Sacramento western conference finals. Tyson’s popularity outside of boxing.
And despite Floyds ricdiculous rants, those are more likely to fade in the future, and Floyd still has a decent fanbase and he has yet to mention retirement as of now. We will see. But if Floyd has a chance to keep fighting the rest of the welterweight class and come out on top, Manny and Floyd will still share the spotlight of the future. Unless the ‘mega fight’ gets made before either one of them retires.
Clove_art - February 16, 2012
sounds good 2 me...
The Pac/Marquez battles are over. He. should go Out fighting Brandon rios. That’s G status!
DiE_HARDFER - February 15, 2012 via mobile
It’s the best time. What is there left? He’s made millions. He’s been champions in multiple divisions. He and Rafael are considered by many to be the greatest pair of brother champions ever. He’s been a fixture in all pound for pound lists for the last couple of years. And more importantly he still speaks well and in great health overall. It’s the best time to walk away. The record books won’t list a W next to his name for the Pacquiao fights. But that’s alright. Pernell Whitaker doesn’t have a W next to his name for the Chavez fight. He still won it
Eugene Banks - February 15, 2012
He doesn't need another pacman fight
We all know he got robbed once and you could argue twice
I would love to see him fight Brandon Rios as his last fight, if JMM wins he goes out on top and if Rios wins its like a passing of the torch kind of
49erEmpire - February 15, 2012 via mobile
If Top Rank are serious about making Gamboa-Rios in April, why not put JMM’s tune-up on the undercard and then make JMM vs the winner. JMM against either Gamboa or Rios is a great fight.
ham_napkin - February 15, 2012
Because Marquez costs significant money and HBO and Top Rank don’t have enough to pay him that for a tune-up. He can get it in Mexico as it’s more of a novelty when he fights there and he can draw a big house.
Scott Christ - February 15, 2012
Gamboa has now refuses to fight Rios
After making a fuss about doing so.
pakinpower - February 16, 2012
I will certainly miss JMM. He’s one of the best. But it’s the right time for him. I hope he follows through.
Apprentice - February 15, 2012
Good for him! Marquez is one of my generation's best
honorablecbm - February 15, 2012 via iPhone app
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