Boxing fans might have seen the last of Juan Manuel Marquez as he appears determined to retire after suffering a split-decision loss to Timothy Bradley in their 12-round welterweight title fight on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
In an interview with Rene Umanzor that was published by Boxingscene, the 40-year-old Mexican said that he was set to hang up his gloves after his sensational sixth-round knockout win against Manny Pacquiao in December, but the opportunity to win world titles in five divisions forced him to delay his retirement.
"It is difficult to continue and even more so with these kind of situations in which some appreciate one thing, others something else. I have to think and believe that the decision to retire was made ever since I beat Manny Pacquiao, but I wanted to try to go that fifth title," Marquez said.
According to Marquez, his family wanted him to retire, but he was able to convince them to agree to the Bradley bout for the latter fighter's World Boxing Association welterweight title. And now that the fight is over, the Mexican boxer said that his family is asking him to devote his time to them.
"My family wanted me to retire and I told them to give me a final chance, but now they want me to be completely devoted to them and I think they need me. I got the chance [to win the fifth world title], it wasn't the result I expected but I'm happy with my performance. I fought an opponent who didn't want to fight and I faced an opponent who knew he would win if it went to a decision," Marquez said.
The four-division champ fell short of his goal of winning titles in five different divisions after two judges scored the bout 116-112 and 115-113 in favor of Bradley, who retained his welterweight title and kept his record unblemished.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
