Juan Manuel Marquez: 5 Reasons He Can't Retire Yet

Juan Manuel Marquez has thought about retirement after his third fight with Manny Pacquiao.  He might never step in the ring again.

It's up to him.  He is 38 and has had a successful career and really can close the door if it's what he wants.

But that doesn't seem to be the case.  Instead of wanting to end his career because he is content with where he is, Marquez seems to be struggling to find a reason to continue after what he perceives as a major injustice.

It isn't that Marquez wants to retire, it's that he feels like giving up.

Marquez might have gotten a tough break, but they happen in life and to everyone. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he should keep going.

Starting with...

Marquez Doesn't Want to Retire

As mentioned in the first slide, Marquez doesn't really want to retire.  He just is disgusted by what he feels was an injustice done against him.

Though some would argue about the merit of why he is angry, it's easy to understand his feelings.  He has been dogged for years by razor-thin losses to Pacquiao and always considered second-best.  

He got to see his rival climb up to become a boxing mega star while he remained a lesser star, only known by boxing fans.

He then finally gains a chance to avenge his losses and then sees Pacquiao awarded another razor-thin victory.  At 38 and with having gone 0-2-1 in their trilogy, it might seem to him like it's the end of the road.

Those negative emotions don't mean that Marquez really wants it to end, though.  Within a few weeks, they might disappear and have him longing for one more shot at the brass ring.

And the next fight would have to be...

Another Fight with Pacquiao

Marquez's pride may be hurt, but it is also what is going to get him to step in the ring with Pacquiao one more time.  It may be the most anticipated fight in boxing right now, including a fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather.

Even though fans have wanted to see a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout for years now, it was damaged by Pacman's performance against Marquez.  It might be better to make that fight first before possibly competing against Mayweather, who was easily able to handle Marquez.

And Marquez's ego won't allow him to pass up one last chance to beat Pacquiao.  He truly believes that he has beaten Pacquiao three different times.  When it comes down to it, he will take a fourth chance to prove it.

Money

It may be crass to mention it, but money is a huge motivator.  After the massive press and controversy that the third Pacquiao-Marquez fight got, it means more for each fighter if they do a rematch.

Marquez is very wealthy, but it never hurts to be offered a little bit more, especially in this economy.

For a fighter like Marquez, pride will always come before money, but it still doesn't hurt to entice him back.

It's about as simple a reason as can be given.

The Fans

Marquez is a Mexican superstar when all is said and done, and though it might seem like he makes decisions only for himself, the fans still factor in.

He may not have the normal style that attracts Latino fans, an aggressive, come-forward style that never quits, but he is still beloved.  It mostly has to do with his fights with Pacquiao, but that is besides the point.

He is adored by his fans and countrymen and no matter how much he may try to seem detached from it, that affects him.

It isn't even just about Marquez wanting validation from the fans.  Almost all people want to be acknowledged and loved by those around them.  It isn't just exclusive to boxers.  

In fact it might be one of the biggest reason fighters get in the ring in the first place: to hear the cheers of the crowd.

Those same fans and cheers might bring Marquez back for one more fight.

As an "I Told You So"

There are probably plenty of fans and journalists who support Pacquiao's win and believe that Marquez is the inferior fighter.  No one is above hearing or seeing the criticisms of their antagonists, and Marquez might not be either.

Marquez has had to hear for years about what he perceives as robbery losses to Pacquiao.  A win would give him not only the ability to say that he bested his opponent, but the ability to thumb it in the faces of those who disagreed.

Marquez detractors will always exist, but at this point there is almost no hard evidence of disputing the claim that he is inferior to Pacquiao.

That is not to say that fans can't argue that Marquez deserves some of the wins in the fights that they have been in, but that in 100 years all that people might see is each man's record and who won the match.

If Marquez could finally beat Pacquiao, it would give him some measure of argument against those who don't know any better.

And that just might stop the Mexican superstar from being consumed with Pacquiao once and for all.