Manny Pacquiao might get a shot to avenge his humiliating defeat to Juan Manuel Marquez if he gets past Timothy Bradley in their upcoming rematch on April 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum revealed that Marquez told him that he will be open to facing the winner of the Pacquiao-Bradley rematch, which means that the talked-about Pacquiao vs Marquez 5 fight is still a possibility.
"Marquez really only wants one thing, he wants to win that title. He has indicated to us, that he was be very amenable to fighting the winner of Pacquiao and Bradley in the fall," Arum said in a BoxingScene interview.
Marquez, who scored a scintillating sixth-round knockout win over his Filipino nemesis during their fourth showdown, turned down numerous proposals to face Pacquiao again for the fifth time.
The 40-year-old Mexican has been openly campaigning for a rematch with Bradley, who scored a split-decision win over him during the WBO welterweight title showdown in October last year.
Marquez also indicated that aside from the rematch with Bradley, he wants to win a fifth title in different divisions or just finally call it quits. His goal of winning his fifth title could be on the horizon especially if he ends up facing either Pacquiao or Bradley again later this year.
"There is a statement on the internet already that he's made. he's obviously changed his tune on fighting Pacquiao again. He doesn't want to fight Pacquiao again if Pacquiao is not successful with Bradley, but if Pacquiao is successful with Bradley, he has stated that he would fight Pacquiao," Arum said.
And while waiting for a shot at the WBO welterweight crown, Marquez said that he could have a tune-up fight in May to keep himself in perfect shape to end his career on a high note later this year. The four-division champion said that he will discuss the possibility of fighting in front of his fans in Mexico City in May.
"I have to see what's on the table, what they offer me. I have to analyze what suits me and what doesn't and then I will make a decision. I need to sit down with the promoter and see what's coming, and if it's very good then I would be returning in May," Marquez stressed.
