Pacquiao vs Marquez Trilogy: Why the Mexican Wants David Diaz as Tune-Up Partner

Juan Manuel Marquez could be serenading fellow Mexican lightweight David Diaz to be his tuneup partner for his upcoming fight with the fighting Filipino congressman in November.

It looks like Diaz is the most ideal tuneup partner for Marquez despite the prospect of an upset. Diaz lost to Pacquiao via TKO in 2008 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Marquez said he needs to have Diaz for his tuneup fight in preparation for his third clash with Pacquiao in seven years.

The Mexican counter-puncher justifies his choice of Diaz because he is a southpaw like Pacquiao and because of his familiarity with the pound-for-pound king's boxing style, strengths and weaknesses.

Marquez is leaving no stone unturned for the most challenging fight of his boxing career.

According to a report by Boxing Scene, Marquez is having a problem with his negotiations with Diaz because he is reportedly asking for a lot of money for the contract.

Jason Kim of boxingnews 24.com wrote:

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"However, the fight could prove to be a bad one for Marquez, as Diaz is a slugger and he could either make Marquez look his age or end up cutting him. A bad cut would almost surely cause Marquez’s November fight with Pacquiao to be cancelled. It might prove a costly fight for Marquez if he does face the fading Diaz. As things are, Diaz has lost two out of his last four fights and hasn't exactly been the most active of fighters in the past three years."

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Critics are saying Marquez is risking with Diaz his rare opportunity to face Pacquaio in a trilogy, as there is always a possibility for an upset.

Some creative boxing fans are even suggesting Marquez just pay Diaz a reasonable amount for services as his main sparring partner. In doing so, he won't jeopardize his November date with the fighting congressman.

The long-awaited Pacquiao-Diaz trilogy is set for November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The fight contract, which was earlier signed by Marquez, reportedly allowed him to have a tuneup fight before the November schedule. 

ESPN.com's Dan Rafael wrote:

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"Marquez's own promotional company will put the card on, although Arum said Top Rank would help if needed. Arum said Marquez's deal for the Pacquiao bout permitted him an interim fight as long as it takes place by July 17."

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"He's going to do that fight," Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told ESPN.com, "and if he loses, he's out."