Boxer Juan Manual Marquez shared his thoughts on a possible dream match between rivals Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, adding some pressure on the American to stop dodging.
In a report by GMA Network, Mayweather and Pacquiao have been involved in a flurry of social media jabs, taunting each other but without an actual fight set. Mayweather, in particular, repeatedly used video clips of Marquez's latest fight against the Filipino, where he knocked down Pacquiao once then finally sent him sleeping on the canvass in round six.
Marquez previously told Rappler that he believe Mayweather will emerge the victor if a match should happen, "For me, Mayweather would win. He is not a [heavy] puncher, but he is an artist in the ring. He is the best in terms of defense and he's very quick with counter-punches and that's what hurts Pacquiao. He handles timing very well and it is an important factor and a very harmful weapon against Pacquiao."
In the same report by Rappler, Marquez also said, "As a fan, I think the fight should get done and they need to stop the bickering over who wants to earn more than the other. The most important thing here is that the fight is carried out and [that both of them] stop talking about nonsense - and give the fans what they want - the fight. First thing, they need to make this fight to make it clear who is who."
Subsequently, Marquez told ESPN Deportes in a report by GMA Network, "Floyd should stop posting videos and pictures of me knocking out Manny." He added, "He should fight him first, prove he is the best not just talk but beat the man considered the best pound-for- pound [fighter] for many years, Manny Pacquiao."
Philstar wrote that Marquez also told ESPN, "People will blame Mayweather if the Pacquiao fight does not happen."
Since 2009, Pacquiao showed interest in fighting Mayweather but the American has been putting up a barrage of conditions and refused to come to an agreement, giving boxing fans the impression that he is scared of tainting his undefeated status. Should a fight happen between the two of them, it is expected by boxing experts to be the biggest in the history of the sport in terms of income.
Marquez has fought Pacquiao four times already and lost to Mayweather once. He told Mayweather, "Stop making fun of him and fight him and if you beat him, only then can he post whatever he wants."