MANILA, Philippines – Juan Manuel Marquez is singing a different tune with regards to a fifth meeting with archrival Manny Pacquiao.
After repeatedly insisting he no longer wants a piece of Pacquiao, Marquez says he is open to another fight with his old nemesis.
That is, if Pacquiao gets past Timothy Bradley in their rematch on April 12.
In a report by Chris Robinson of hustleboss.com, Top Rank chief Bob Arum said it is Marquez’s desire to win another world title that is keeping the prospect of a Pacquiao-Marquez 5 alive.
“Marquez really wants only one thing before he retires. He wants to win that title. And he has indicated to us that he would be very available to fight the winner of Pacquiao and Bradley in the fall,†said Arum.
Pacquiao and Marquez already have four fights between their storied rivalry. In their latest duel in December 2012, the Mexican punctuated their rivalry by knocking Pacquiao out cold in the sixth round.
Marquez has since stressed there’s no point in another bout. But as it turns out, a fifth fight with Pacquiao only makes sense if there’s a title involved.
Bradley currently holds the WBO welterweight title, which he’ll put on the line against Pacquiao. Marquez had the chance to take it from Bradley but failed to do so after he lost to the American in October last year.
Arum says Marquez will do anything just to win a world title in a fifth weight class, including fighting Pacquiao again.
“That is correct, so he’s obviously changed his tune. He doesn’t want to face Pacquiao again if Pacquiao is not successful with Bradley. But if Pacquiao is successful with Bradley, he has stated that he wants to face Pacquiao,†the promoter explained.