Juan Manuel Marquez Won't Give Up on Manny Pacquiao

Mexican counter puncher Juan Manuel Marquez continues to chase Manny Pacquiao for another lucrative fight and record-breaking purse of his career.

Marquez got his career-high payday when he fought Pacquiao in a trilogy last year at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev.

Marquez lost to Pacquiao in a majority but controversial decision which prompted him to prematurely announce his retirement in protest of what he claims was a "robbery" perpetuated by alleged biased judges.

Pacquiao got the nod of the two judges while the third judge ruled the fight a draw at 114-114 as the large contingent of Mexican crowd howled in protest of what they claimed was a faulty scoring.

"I considered retiring because everybody knows I want to fight Manny again and that I won the last fight, and I feel very angry about that decision," said Marquez.

"The main reason for me to continue is that I want a rematch with Manny, and that is the main factor for me to come back.

"I think I won the last fight and I am looking for the rematch," Marquez added.

Pacquiao and Marquez have fought three times in the last eight years, and all of those fights ended in controversies, with Marquez claiming he was robbed of his victories.

In 2004, Marquez and Pacquiao fought to a controversial draw in a featherweight bout (126 pounds). Pacquiao should have won on a split-decision if not for a scoring error committed by one of the judges, who scored a round at 10-7 instead of 10-6 for Pacquiao's three knockdowns of Marquez.

In 2008, at super featherweight (130 pounds), Marquez and Pacquiao clashed again in a hotly contested rematch with Pacquiao earning a split decision. Pacquiao's third-round knockdown of Marquez must have influenced the decision of the judges, as they gave the winning score to the Filipino boxing star.

Bob Arum of Top Rank, who likewise promotes Pacquiao, said Marquez and Pacquiao could face each other again for a fourth fight to settle the controversy once and for all. The amiable promoter said the fight could take place in November

On April 14, Marquez will face Sergey Fedchenko (30-1, 13 KOs) of Ukraine for a vacant interim junior welterweight title in Mexico City.

Mexican promoter Fernando Beltran said Marquez will face Filipino lightweight Mercito Gesta on July 15 before facing Pacquiao for the fourth time in November.

“Juan Manuel will fight Fedchenko in April, then on July 14 against Mercito Gesta at Cowboys Stadium, and in November the fourth fight with Pacquiao,” said Beltran.

Gesta (24-0, 12KOs) will face  Colombian Oscar Cuero (15-7, 12KOs) on April 14 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.