Pacquiao vs. Marquez 3: Where Does Juan Manuel Marquez Go from Here?

Manny Pacquiao defeated Juan Manuel Marquez by a close decision, this time a majority decision.

That means one card had it even, and the others gave it to Pacquiao, one card by only two points and the other by three.

Despite the controversy behind the win, a Pacquiao-Marquez IV battle is unlikely. Pacquiao even said in a post-fight interview that he "has to accept that it's not easy to fight Marquez."

At this stage of their careers, they know so much about each other that the battle became more Leonard-Duran III than Ali-Frazier III. In other words, it was more tactical than brutally action-packed.

While Pacquiao's obvious only option left is Floyd Mayweather or bust, Marquez's situation is more complicated. Sure, he's 38 years old, but he's a great 38.

He's still schooling youngsters and battering opponents like there's no tomorrow. If he can make Pacquiao look this bad now, imagine what he could do to the whole junior welterweight division.

Here is a list of the best possible options for Marquez to continue his highly-celebrated career.

Face Erik Morales for the WBC Junior Welterweight Title

Of all the warriors Marquez could face, this one makes the most sense.

Marquez has always been in the shadow of Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, and he is finally stepping into his own limelight.

He defeated Barrera back in 2007 and gave Pacquiao enough hell to arguably have won three times. Now it's time to face Morales to complete the square.

If boxing has anything now that resembles the great "Four Kings" era of the 80s, when Leonard, Duran, Hearns and Hagler battled each other, it would be Pacquiao, Barrera, Morales and Marquez.

Pacquiao has fought everyone. Barrera has fought everyone. The combination left that fans haven't seen in the ring is Marquez vs. Morales.

With May 5 coming up, Marquez vs Morales would be a major arena-filler in any stadium in Texas or Mexico. 

Both men could also wait until the Mexican Independence Day weekend in September.

Snatch Tim Bradley's "0" and WBO Junior Welterweight Title

In boxing, every win is a statement even if unintended.

Stopping Joel Casamayor in eight rounds, three rounds shorter than it took Marquez, Timothy Bradley has stated that he can beat Marquez.

Now Casamayor is a shot 40-year-old fighter with nothing left to give at this stage of his career, but Marquez's victory against him was barely over three years ago and was a lot more competitive.

Bradley's promotional team is building his reputation by placing him against fighters with big names, and Marquez could boost his legacy by snatching another "0" from one of the best young fighters of today.

There's nothing more satisfying for an older fighter than handing a younger fighter his first loss. Just ask George Foreman why he was smiling so hard when he knocked out Michael Moorer.

Both sides have something to gain, and if Pacquiao and Mayweather come together for their megafight this May 5, Marquez vs. Bradley would fit perfectly as an undercard highlight.

Conquer "King" Khan for His IBF and WBA Junior Welterweight World Titles

Amir Khan vs. Juan Manuel Marquez is an intriguing matchup, because Marquez could be Khan's gateway into everyone's pound-for-pound list after negotiations for a fight against Bradley fell flat.

This could also result in the ultimate statement of Marquez's genius by taking out Freddie Roach's other prized pupil. Roach trains both Manny Pacquiao and Khan.

Pacquiao seems to avoid losing to Marquez by being the supposed "aggressor" in their battles despite not being nearly as effective or accurate.

Khan, if bullied, will back-pedal, as evidenced during his battle with Marcos Maidana. Khan was winning the first nine or so rounds until Maidana rocked him and continued to try to obliterate the rising star.

Marquez dealt very well with Pacquiao's speed, so Khan's isn't likely to bother him.

The only concern is Khan's height advantage, but experience should help Marquez nullify that advantage.

Unify the Junior Welterweight Division?

I know I just mentioned the only three world champions at the junior welterweight level.

Each man is talented but beatable.

Marquez has shown that the extra weight at welterweight didn't affect him, so coming down to junior welterweight should be a breeze.

He's added the weight effectively in a way that lends itself to him being a possible junior welterweight world champion and maybe even lineal champion of the division.

He would just have to beat either Bradley and Khan to be the lineal champ, and Mexican rival Morales holds the other belt. That's a fight Marquez can win and make major Mexican holiday money from.

There's no reason Marquez shouldn't continue his lengthy career at junior welterweight. He's still creating magical counter combinations and moving beautifully at a higher weight, and he can still win against the best.