Freddie Roach Stirs the Marquez-Pacquiao Pot Again, but Does He Have a Point?

Freddie Roach has never been accused of being a shrinking violet. The renowned trainer is more provocateur than diplomat, never failing to make bold predictions or castigate his foes.

Fresh off yet another career-defining moment in Miguel Cotto's June 7 trouncing of Sergio Martinez, Roach has already refocused his ire toward the chief rival of his most illustrious pupil: Juan Manuel Marquez.  According to Michael Woods of The Sweet Science (h/t BoxingNews24.com), Roach claims Marquez is demanding $20 million for a fifth fight with Manny Pacquiao, in essence pricing himself out of another installment in the legendary series.

As everyone not living on Mars already knows, Marquez capped off the classic sequence of fights with Manny Pacquiao by dispatching Pac-Man in the most terrifying manner possible, delivering a one-punch knockout that left the latter twitching on the canvas and (conceivably) erasing any doubt as to who is the better of the two fighters.

Satisfied with such an emphatic outcome, Marquez has expressed little interest in a rematch, as he felt that he was robbed by poor judging in their three previous matches. 

Some would say he has a point. After all, it's not Marquez who's in need of redemption, right?

Well, that's one way of looking at it.  The reality is that there are more factors at play here that will determine who makes what, not the least of which is commercial viability.

Even though Marquez appears to be in the proverbial driver's seat, the fact of the matter is that Pacquiao, despite the loss and recent subpar showing (compared to Manny's own exceedingly high standards) is still a marketing force, an established pay-per-view star in a sport bereft of personalities with such crossover appeal. 

Marquez, however, has never headlined a pay-per-view event, appearing as the "B-side" on every promotion. Given that Pacquiao's crossover name recognition is required to drive the exorbitant sums Marquez is requesting, it stands to reason that he has only so much leverage in negotiations.

Further, one could argue that Marquez owes Pacquiao a chance at redemption, as the latter was gracious enough to give Marquez two additional chances to avenge his losses after his initial defeat in the second match in their series. 

However, Marquez feels that his victory was so decisive that there is no need for another installment, as reported by David King on Yahoo! Sports:

"

Why doesn't a fifth fight with Pacquiao interest me? Because whenever they mention Manny Pacquiao's name, they will need to add that the [so-called] best pound-for-pound fighter was knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez. I'd rather keep this feeling and this satisfaction.

"

He may have a point. What say ye?