Juan Manuel Marquez Says He Was Robbed 3 Times, Wants to Face Pacquiao in Mexico

Mexican counter-puncher Juan Manuel Marquez says he was robbed of victory three times during his three-fight encounter with Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao, according to Ernesto Castellanos of notifight.com (h/t Boxing Scene).

This is the reason he wants a fourth fight with Pacquiao to prove he is the better fighter. But he wants the fight to be held in his native Mexico or in California, according to Ricardo Lois of Latino Boxing Examiner.

In 2004, Marquez and Pacquiao fought to a controversial draw in a featherweight bout (126 pounds). Pacquiao would 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 in a hotly contested rematch. Pacquiao earned a split-decision, as Pacquiao's third-round knockdown proved to be the clincher in the bout.

In their third fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas last November, Pacquiao won via a controversial majority decision.

In protest of the judges' decision, Marquez walked away from the stage right after the fight to dramatize his displeasure on the outcome of the fight. He said he was clearly robbed of victory.

In all three fights since 2004, Marquez said he was the consistent winner. But some critics and observers said he clearly lost the fight during their first encounter in 2004, but due to the scoring error (acknowledged by the judge), the fight was declared a draw.

Critics were clearly divided on the judges' verdict for the second and third fights.  The second fight was less controversial, as Marquez was knocked down in the third round. But most of them have opined that indeed Marquez won their trilogy fight last November.

“For a new fight with Pacquiao, I’m going to ask for us not to do it in Las Vegas,” Marquez said, according to Castellanos.

“I have (been) robbed there three times, and I do not want it happening again,” he added.

If the fight is not held in Mexico, Marquez said he will ask for the fight to take place either in Texas or California.

“I disagree with the manner of designating the judges by the Commission of Nevada. I will ask for the fight to be made in Texas or in California, where things are more flexible in a matter of (selecting) judges,” Marquez said.

Marquez was reported to have set a fight with either Brandon Rios or Mercito Gesta at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on July 14, but a report by Keith Idec of Boxing Scene indicates the fight may not happen, as Marquez wants a southpaw opponent in preparation for his fourth encounter with Pacquiao possibly in November.

It is possible Marquez will no longer fight in July as scheduled and just wait for another crack at Pacquiao in November.

Pacquiao is set to face unbeaten Palm Springs boxing sensation Timothy Bradley on June 9 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.