Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez will likely collide for the fifth time later this year after the Filipino boxing icon won against Timothy Bradley in their WBO welterweight title showdown.
And if Pacquiao vs Marquez 5 happens, Bradley's trainer, Joel Diaz, believes that the former pound-for-pound king will emerge victorious against the 40-year-old Mexican.
Diaz told BoxingScene on Friday that he can see Pacquiao winning convincingly against Marquez, who scored a scintillating sixth round knockout win over 'Pacman' in their fourth showdown in December 2012.
The world-renowned trainer pointed out that Pacquiao was already dominating Marquez in their fourth fight before the Mexican boxing legend connected with a vicious counter punch that knocked Pacquiao out cold.
Diaz added that he is convinced Marquez will not be able to land another knockout blow in the proposed showdown, saying that Pacquiao is a more complete fighter at this point of his career.
"I think this time Pacquiao will win, because in the fourth fight Marquez was already hurt and in desperation [he threw that punch] and it knocked Pacquiao out," Diaz said. "Pacquiao will win, because he is just as fast but now he is more cautious. Marquez would have a very difficult time against someone who won't make mistakes."
Marquez also admitted that Pacquiao looked very good during his win against Bradley, saying that the 35-year-old welterweight champion managed to show that he still has the speed and power to inflict heavy damage.
"I thought Pacquiao looked good. I thought he looked fast, strong. I think he was a little more cautious, but I thought he looked good with speed, good boxing, which he's shown in his previous fights," Marquez said.
And when asked about the rumored fifth showdown against his long-time nemesis, Marquez said that "it's a natural fight to do", but he pointed out that he is focused on his upcoming showdown with Mike Alvarado.
"I do not know yet. I have a big fight on May 17, and I have to meet that commitment first. I know it's a natural fight to do [with Pacquiao], but first we have to walk before we start running," said Marquez, who will face Alvarado on May 17 at The Forum in Los Angeles.
