Juan Manuel Marquez To Return In May, Freddie Roach Says Fifth With Manny Pacquiao Was The Best Option

By John Santisteban

Jan 20, 2014 08:02 AM EST

Juan Manuel Marquez recently talked about his plans to end his storied boxing career, but the Mexican boxing icon revealed that he could to return to the ring possibly in May.

Marquez said that he and his family are thinking about his potential return, but if he eventually decides to go with his plan of having two more fights, the 40-year-old Mexican revealed that the first of two could be staged in May.

"In the event that I decide to continue [my career, my next fight] would be in May, so I could return to the gym in a week, to have a strong preparation, as I'm used to. I'm thinking about a fight in May," Marquez told BoxingScene. "I feel good, but the risks must also be measured, because this sport is one of the most difficult."

Marquez, who is coming off a split decision loss to Timothy Bradley in October last year, is aching to get back at the reigning World Boxing Organization welterweight champion.

However, the Bradley bout is unlikely to happen in May since the undefeated American could have his rematch against Manny Pacquiao.

The Filipino boxing icon has yet to name his next opponent, but recent reports suggested that Pacquiao is leaning towards facing Bradley on April 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to avenge his controversial loss to the American in June 2012.

Marquez and Pacquiao could have ended fighting each other for the fifth time, but the Mexican turned down the offer, saying that the fight makes no sense after he scored a sixth-round knockout win over his nemesis in their fourth showdown in December 2012.

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie roach admitted that Pacquiao vs Marquez 5 was the best option for both fighters, and it is disappointing now that Marquez looks firm on his stance of not fighting Pacquiao again, leaving the former pound-for-pound king to settle either with Bradley or Ruslan Provodnikov.

"I think it would have been a good fight, but [Marquez] said no, and that makes me a little sad because we know that was the best fight out there for Manny," Roach said. "Personally, [between our two choices] I think a fight with Ruslan is better. Bradley would be difficult because he boxes well."