MANILA, Philippines – Boxing hall-of-famer Freddie Roach insists that Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez should fight Manny Pacquiao one more time.
Despite Pacquiao’s two ring victories over Marquez in the course of their eight-year rivalry, the boxing trainer pointed out that the Filipino boxing superstar granted the Mexican three rematches.
“We gave him more than one,” stressed Roach in Boxing Scene. “I think he owes us this one.”
Pacquiao and Marquez first fought to a controversial draw in 2004. This was followed by the Filipino’s close decisions over Marquez in 2008 and 2011.
But Marquez got back at Pacquiao in their fourth clash, knocking the Filipino out cold last December.
Marquez is now mulling a possible interim bout against either WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley or former lightweight champion Brandon Rios in September.
Boxing promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao might also take an interim bout if Marquez chooses either Bradley or Rios.
But Roach said he’d prefer Marquez. “I want [him] to fight Marquez right away,” said the boxing coach.
Meanwhile, Arum said Bradley and Rios will first fulfill their upcoming assignments to join the Pacquiao-Marquez carousel.
Bradley will defend his title against Pacquiao's sparring partner Ruslan Provodnikov on March 16, while Rios will again rumble with Mike Alvarado on March 30.
"If he (Bradley) beats Provodnikov and Rios beats Alvarado, then we'll see what Manny and Marquez will do," Arum said.
source: abs-cbnnews.com
