Manny Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV in Mexico, Erik Morales Got Floyd Mayweather Offer

Manny Pacquiao, his promoter Bob Arum and his trainer Freddie Roach have all said they want a fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez to clear up any confusion over who won.

Now the ball is in Marquez's court about whether to say no or not. Though he has not officially agreed yet, he says that Pacquiao versus Marquez will be in Mexico if it does happen. 

According to Boxing Scene, Marquez said, "Now the ball is in my court and I think the [fourth fight] should be in Mexico, under my conditions.

My Two Cents

Whether this will happen or not is hard to say, but it makes sense. Marquez doesn't even want the fight. It's Pacquiao's people who want the fight to give Pacquiao a chance to redeem himself.

Marquez feels he will never get the proper fair match he deserves. If bringing the fight to his home country of Mexico makes the fight fairer in his eyes, then Pacquiao should comply.

Otherwise, Pacquiao should be looking forward to Floyd Mayweather on May 5 instead.

Erik Morales Confirms Floyd Mayweather Offer from Richard Schaefer

The Philippine Star conducted an interview with Mexican great Erik Morales to ask about rumors of him being lined up to face Mayweather on Cinco de Mayo and he said the following:

“There was no proposal, no offer. All Schaefer wanted to know if I’d be open to fight Mayweather and I told him why not?”

Morales is currently the WBC junior welterweight (140 lbs.) world champion. Mayweather is the WBC welterweight (147 lbs.) world champion.

Morales recalled a time he got the best of Mayweather in sparring in 2000. Morales said the following:

"

In 2000, I was training for a fight in Texas and sparred three or four rounds with Mayweather. Mayweather’s father Floyd Sr. was my trainer and got me to spar with his son. I had him groggy and reeling but he never went down.

"

If this was for his September 2000 fight in Texas against Kevin Kelley, Morales and Mayweather would've both been 24 years old.

Mayweather was WBC Super Featherweight (130 lbs.) World Champion at the time. Morales would go on to win the WBC Featherweight (126 lbs.) World Title against Kelley that year.

Morales also spoke about the Pacquiao's invincibility being shattered by Pacquiao:

"

I don’t know if we’ll ever see the same Manny again but it’s all up to him. All I know is Manny’s reputation as an invincible fighter, the best fighter in the world, is no more. Marquez made him look like an ordinary mortal. Manny has to gain back his confidence to knock out opponents but it will come only if he is at peace with himself.

"

My Two Cents

Morales is 5'8"; Mayweather is 5'8". Morales has a 72-inch reach; Mayweather has a 72-inch reach.

Everyone criticized the third Marquez fight with Pacquiao until Marquez began to beat him up. Morales won't be given much a chance until he gets in the ring with Mayweather, but Morales is likely just a backup opponent in case Pacquiao doesn't sign to fight Mayweather, considering that May 5 is Cinco de Mayo and Morales is a Mexican legend.