Despite earlier announcement that Manny Pacquiao has agreed to fight Ricky Hatton after he won over Oscar de la Hoya in their ‘Dream Match’ last December 6, 2008, Marquez is not giving up in his quest for another shot at Pacquiao.
It may be recalled that Marquez and Pacquiao fought to a draw in 2004 and in a rematch later that Pacquaio won on a close decision.
Both decisions were controversial as Pacquaio claimed he won in their first fight because the referee made a mistake on the points count while Marquez said he won in the second encounter on points after questioning the judge’s decision.
Marquez is being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions of Oscar de la Hoya while Pacquiao is being handled by Bob Arum’s Top Rank. Marquez has been blaming Bob Arum for his failure to get another shot at Pacquiao. He said ‘There’s a reason he (Pacquiao} doesn’t want to fight me again. But that’s the fight I wanted, I’ve made no secret of it’
After his loss to Pacquiao, Marquez moved to the lightweight division and fought Joel Casmayor of Cuba and won via KO, giving Casmayor his first loss as a professional boxer. Marquez said he wants to do the same to Juan Diaz, a former three-time lightweight champion. His possible win over Diaz will increase the pressure on Pacquiao who holds the WBC lightweight belt. That’s the intention, Marquez said.
Marquez and Juan Diaz will tangle at the Toyota Center in Houston Texas on February 28, 2009 while the Pacquiao-Hatton match will take place in Las Vegas Nevada on May 2, 2009.
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