Juan Manuel Marquez, who rebounded from a loss to Timothy Bradley by dominating Mike Alvarado in May, will return to the ring early next year according to Top Rank CEO Bob Arum.
Juan Manuel will sit out the rest of this year and then back in action in the first four months of next year," Arum told ESPN. "He could fight a rematch with Bradley. He could also fight another fight with Manny. He could go a lot of ways. But Marquez is taking off the rest of the year and that is fine. He's an older fighter. For him to take a rest is smart. But he will be back."
Another fighter that Marquez's camp has brought up as a potential opponent is IBF champion Kell Brook, who came to the United States in August and upset previously undefeated Shawn Porter. Brook appeared to be on a collision course with Amir Khan for a U.K. showdown, but a machete attack while on vacation that left him with a deep stab wound has cast those plans in doubt.
Marquez's promoter Fernando Beltran confirmed that Brook would be Marquez's preference. "There are a lot of fighters out there but he would like to fight the IBF champion, Kell Brook," Beltran said, before noting that a Bradley fight would pique Marquez's interest also.
One fight that hasn't intrigued Marquez is one with Ruslan Provodnikov, a slugger whose aggressive approach would appear to create an interesting stylistic clash; Marquez is one of boxing's premier counter punchers.
This past winter, Marquez reasoned that facing Provodnikov would do little to bolster his legacy.
"Provodnikov is a great fighter. He demonstrated that with Bradley, and he's very strong. I think the challenge is there, and I love challenges and will fight anyone, as I have not shunned anyone," Marquez said.
"But right now, at this stage of my career, I want something that will leave a legacy. I want that fifth championship. If that does not present itself, then I'm closer to retirement." Fighting with Provodnikov would not gain me anything."
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