Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. (Photo : Reuters)
Recent speculations emerged that a possible fifth fight between eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs) and his nemesis Mexican legend Juan Manual Marquez (56-7-1, 40 KOs) is in the works to be held sometime in the middle of 2016.
Top Rank chief Bob Arum even said that a clash with Marquez might be Pacquiao's comeback fight next year if the promoter could convince the 42-year-old four-division champion to come out of his semi-retirement, as per Boxing News 24.
One potential hindrance to Marquez's return is his recurring knee problem, which he reportedly had acquired during his May 2014 WBO Intercontinental welterweight title bout with Mike Alvarado at the Forum in Inglewood, California.
The Mexican won the fight via a unanimous 12-round decision, but he had been inactive ever since because of the said knee injury.
There were reports that the man they call "Dinamita" wants to have a shot at a fifth-division world title, something that is unprecedented for a Mexican fighter, late this year or early next year.
Bleacher Report indicated that Marquez also wants to use the said title fight as a tune up for his eventual fifth and highly-lucrative match with Pacquiao possibly in May 2016.
Meanwhile, Arum said that if Marquez is not available yet on February or March, Top Rank's scheduled timeline of Pacquiao's return, then Pac-Man will face a former Freddie Roach disciple, Amir Khan, in Dubai or Las Vegas during that period.
It seems that Pacquiao would benefit the most if Marquez decides to face him again next year. Aside from the big payday awaiting both fighters, the Filipino pugilist would also be given a chance to redeem himself from the sixth round knockout loss he suffered against the Mexican in December 2012.
