
Manny Pacquiao (pictured) is in the sights of Juan Manuel Marquez ahead of his July 1st clash with Juan Diaz(credit:
Rommel Rebollido)
Juan Manuel Marquez has his sights on a big-money clash with Manny Pacquiao or Ricky Hatton should he defeat Juan Diaz later this month
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Marquez is fully focused on his July 31st rematch against Diaz but has admitted he would like to face Manny Pacquiao or Ricky Hatton should he be victorious in Las Vegas.
"Dinamita" will do battle again with Diaz at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in a repeat of the 2009 Fight of the Year, which Marquez won via a thrilling ninth-round stoppage.
The Mexican insists his training camp has gone like clockwork and there will be no hangover from his emphatic points defeat at the hands of Floyd Mayweather last September.
"We knew going into that fight it was going to be a very difficult, a very tough task but we were ready to take him on," said Marquez.
"But what made it a little more difficult was also the weight, the excess weight that Mayweather had. It was approximately 15 pounds once we got inside the ring.
"We gave it our all and after the fight we know that the people were behind us and we hope that they realised we gave it 100%, during the whole time."
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Marquez will come back down from 147lb at Mayweather's welterweight division to the lightweight limit of 135lb and feels much more comfortable facing Diaz.
"Camp has been great, training has been great, the sparing, everything has been excellent and most importantly no injuries, I haven't sustained any problems," declared the 36-year-old.
"I get up every morning to run with the same enthusiasm as always and to go to the gym to train. I'm motivated to defend my titles with a lot pride and to make everyone happy."
As for dropping back down in weight, he added: "We've done it very carefully, very healthy, very well. We have had the help of a nutritionist.
"I did, obviously, gain a few pounds to go up in weight. But we're working, as always, very hard, working with the weight and working in the gym and we'll be there for a very good fight, a strong fight, and at weight come July 31."
The Mexican shrugged off talk of a clash with Amir Khan in December but did admit there are still three fighters who he would like to do battle with before hanging up his gloves.
"Manny Pacquiao, that's my desire, I want it so bad. I want that third fight with him before my career ends," said Marquez, who drew with Pacman in 2004 and lost on a split decision two years ago.
"And maybe another one would be like Erik Morales or a Ricky Hatton, but Manny Pacquiao for sure."
Marquez is 4/11 with Boylesports to beat Diaz at the end of the month, 11/8 to secure a stoppage success and 2/1 to prevail on points.
The same firm make him a slight favourite at 8/11 to beat Hatton if that fight takes place this year, with the Hitman available at 11/10.