Marquez's Dreams of Pacquiao are Riding on a Floyd Win

Since 2004, Juan Manuel Marquez has been focused for the most part on a single fighter - Manny Pacquiao. After getting knocked down three times in the first round and battling his way back to a controversial draw, the Mexican champion was convinced that he should have won a decision and chased the rematch. He got his wish in 2008, fighting Pacquiao to a close split-decision loss, and this time many thought he should have won.

Since the rematch Marquez has done everything is his power to land the trilogy bout. He flew to the Philippines and confronted Pacquiao at a local show - demanding a trilogy fight. Marquez would then follow Pacquiao to the lightweight division and cleaned house by knocking out Juan Diaz and Joel Casamayor to capture two of the four major titles at the weight. After Pacquiao jumped to 147 for De La Hoya and then dropped to 140 for Hatton, Marquez would quickly announce plans to move up to 140.

When Floyd Mayweather Jr. was making plans to return, with an obvious clash with Pacquiao as the clincher. Marquez knew the only way to block that fight, and force a third meeting with Pacquiao, was to face Mayweather. He called Floyd out, Floyd accepted, and they clash on July 18 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Top Rank's Bob Arum says the only way a trilogy bout would take place, is if Marquez beats Mayweather. He doesn't give Marquez a big shot to win and doesn't see a trilogy bout ever taking place if Mayweather gets his hand raised. Marquez has given Pacquiao more trouble than any other opponent.

"This fight [Mayweather-Marquez] is not seen as particularly competitive," said Arum to the Los Angeles Times. "If Marquez, by some stroke of luck, beats Mayweather, then sure it'll happen. But if Marquez loses, why fight him? It won't be a mega-fight. And that's what Manny wants."

Source: boxingscene.com