Timothy Bradley vs. Manny Pacquiao Fight 2014 Update: Juan Manuel Marquez Impressed With Pacquiao’s Performance
Juan Manuel Marquez admitted that he was impressed with Manny Pacquiao's performance during his rematch against Timothy Bradley last month.
Marquez told reporters that he saw the best Pacquiao could offer when he scored a convincing unanimous decision win over Bradley to reclaim the World Boxing Organization welterweight title.
The 40-year-old Mexican, who handed Pacquiao his most devastating loss when he knocked the Filipino boxing icon out cold in December 2012, declared that the former pound-for-pound king is back.
"I saw the best Manny Pacquiao," Marquez said via Boxing News 24. "He wants to beat everybody. I saw the best Pacquiao. Everyone knows that Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter and he is a world champion. Right now Pacquiao is back."
Marquez added that he was impressed with the way Pacquiao utilized his footwork, which gave Bradley a difficult time landing his punches, while also failing to dodge Pacquiao's power punches.
"Right now Pacquiao is using his feet very well. He moves in the ring. I saw the best Manny Pacquiao because he landed a lot of punches and was moving on his feet. I liked the way Manny Pacquiao fought very much," Marquez said.
Marquez is scheduled to face Mike Alvarado on Saturday night at The Forum in Los Angeles, and a win will likely lead to a fifth showdown with Pacquiao.
When asked about the possibility of facing Pacquiao again, Marquez played down all speculations, saying that he is focused in his upcoming fight against Alvarado.
"My thinking is first-things-first. My thoughts right now are on Mike Alvarado. If I win the fight then I will think about Manny Pacquiao. I will fight the fight on Saturday then go from there," Marquez said.
The Mexican boxing icon quickly added, though, that he will look to make history before calling it quits. He wants to become the first Mexican to win five world titles in as many divisions, which could mean that he will eventually target Pacquiao's WBO welterweight title.
"I want to make history by winning another world title," Marquez said. "It's something that's never been done. That is what I am looking forward to towards the end of my career, to win that next world title."