Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Sergey Fedchenko: Pacquiao Fixation Could Cost JMM Match

Instead of obsessing over the fact that he isn't taking on Manny Pacquiao in a rematch, shouldn't Juan Manuel Marquez be focusing on the little-known welterweight he's actually facing? 

The future International Boxing Hall of Famer is clearly still smarting after a controversial loss to Pacquiao in November—so much so that, when he found out that Pacquiao would be defending his belt against Timothy Bradley Junior rather than agreeing to a rematch, he considered retirement. 

Instead, though, he'll take on Ukranian Sergey Fedchenko in the first-ever sports event at the new Mexico City Arena in Mexico City. 

Even when asked about the fight that looms ahead of him, Marquez (53-6-1, 39 KOs) can't seem to stop talking about Pacquiao. He told ESPN.com's Dan Rafael: 

"

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. Everybody knows I was looking for the rematch with Manny, but I don't know what happened. 

"

In the November fight, Pacquiao needed two judges to score the final round in his favor in order to come out with the victory. He got it, but when the third judge scored in Marquez's favor, Marquez—and lots of the fans at the MGM Grand Arena—walked away from the match feeling furious and slighted. 

After the fight, Marquez told the Associated Press, "It's hard when you're fighting your final and the three judges, too."

It's clear that Marquez is desperate for a chance to prove his mettle after the controversial loss, but he seems so desperate for a rematch that it's as though Saturday's fight is barely even registering with him.

Marquez, a Mexico City native, will be making his first appearance in a fight in his hometown since 1994. Though the idea of opening the new arena himself brings a bit of motivation and excitement to a bout Marquez seems utterly disinterested in, it is not quite motivating enough to get Pacquiao out of his head.

He told Rafael:  

"

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 have the fight on [Saturday], but I train very hard again. I think I won the last fight and I am looking for the rematch. 

"

Focusing too much on a potential rematch with his rival, however—which could happen next November—could leave Marquez perilously unfocused on the task at hand. And if he doesn't beat Fedchenko (30-1, 13 KOs), he likely won't get a chance to fight Pacquiao again in November. 

There's a difference between staying motivated and becoming obsessed to the point of distraction. Hopefully, by the time Saturday's match is over, Marquez won't have fought himself out of a chance to get what he really wants.