Marquez unable to corner Pacquiao

While Floyd Mayweather Jr. seems reluctant to fight Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez would love to face Pacquiao again.

Marquez and Pacquiao have met twice, a 12-round draw in 2004 and Pacquiao's 12-round split decision in 2008.

A case could be made that Marquez deserved to win both bouts. Because of that, he's not likely to get another shot at Pacquiao.

Marquez will face Juan Diaz on Saturday at Mandalay Bay in a rematch of their February 2009 bout that boxing writers voted the Fight of the Year. Marquez won with a ninth-round knockout.

"That's my desire. I want it so bad ... before my career ends," Marquez said of a third fight with Pacquiao. "Maybe another one would be Erik Morales or a Ricky Hatton, but Manny Pacquiao for sure."

Marquez's promoter, Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions, doesn't think it will happen.

"After they fought the second time, (Top Rank chairman) Bob Arum said the time had to be right to have a third fight," Schaefer said. "That was more than two years ago. ... When are you going to have a better time than now? The time will never be right because (Marquez) has Pacquiao's number."

Instead, Pacquiao will face Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13 at the MGM Grand Garden, assuming Margarito can get licensed in Nevada.

That doesn't sit well with Marquez.

"I don't think Pacquiao wants to fight me," Marquez said. "Maybe he's scared of me.

"I think I won the first fight. In 2008, I definitely thought I won. Maybe that's why he doesn't want to fight me."

Unlike Pacquiao, Marquez (50-5-1, 37 knockouts) granted a rematch when Diaz (35-3, 17 KOs) asked for one.

When they met the first time in Houston, Diaz pressured Marquez early and had him on the defensive. But Marquez, a strong counterpuncher, began to figure out Diaz and score with the jab.

Through eight rounds, one judge had Marquez leading, another had Diaz ahead and the third had the bout tied.

But Marquez dropped Diaz with a right uppercut with 23 seconds left in the ninth round, and the fight was suddenly over.

"There was a lot of emotion when people talked about it being the Fight of the Year," Marquez said. "And to win a fight like that was very motivating."

Marquez is coming off a 12-round loss to Mayweather in September and trying to prove that, at age 36, he still has what it takes to defeat a tough opponent twice.

The veteran fighter doesn't think he's wearing down and said his training in Mexico went better than expected.

Trainer Nacho Beristain said he didn't see any drop-off from Marquez.

"Juan is like a fine wine that only gets better with age," Beristain said.

Marquez weighed 146 pounds when he fought Mayweather. Saturday's fight is at 135, with Marquez's WBA and WBO lightweight titles at stake.

"We've done it very carefully," Marquez said of dropping 11 pounds while trying to maintain the muscle he packed on for the Mayweather fight. "We have had the help of a nutritionist, and I'm feeling good, feeling strong."

Marquez isn't sure if this will be his final bout at 135 pounds, but there appear to be better fights on the horizon at 140 or higher, including against Amir Khan, Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander.

"Right now, my focus is on Juan Diaz at 135," Marquez said. "After Saturday, we will see what is in the future."

Apparently, it's not Manny Pacquiao.

Contact sports reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or at 702-387-2913.