Juan Manuel Marquez is set to square off with Mike Alvarado on May 17, with the winner getting an opportunity to take on either Manny Pacquiao or Tim Bradley. After knocking out Pacman in 2012 Marquez had been adamant about that chapter in his life being closed. It appears money talks, however, and fans will see a fifth bout if both men win their next fight.
Marquez had openly stated he preferred a rematch with Bradley, whom he lost to last year, and may still get his wish. Top Rank CEO Bob Arum paired Pacman and "Desert Storm" for an April bout that is a rematch of their controversial 2012 bout, and the winner of that will receive a shot of star power.
Clearly Pacquiao is a megastar who does not need a popularity boost; however, his reputation has faded in recent years and a win over the consensus No. 3 pound-for-pound fighter in the world would restore him to the top of the heap.
Tim Bradley prepared for anything Pacquiao can bring?
Marquez complained he was robbed vs. Bradley, but few saw that fight in his favor. He showed increased power when he KO'd Pacquiao, but in his advanced age he must prove he's still the cat-quick counter-puncher capable of defeating anyone in his way.
The fight is also a major one for the career of Mike Alvarado, whose star emerged thanks to two epic wars with Brandon Rios, in which the two split victories. Alvarado's last fight was another warlike defeat to Ruslan Provodnikov, and a loss here could force him to recede back into the nether regions of the welterweight division.
The fight will take place at The Forum in Inglewood, which will only lend significance to a fight that will be integral in shaping the welterweight division.
"Besides the fact that this is a tremendous fight between two exciting fighters, the thing I like most about it is the historical significance," Arum said. "They spent a lot of money refurbishing the Forum and it brings back memories of all the great fights that took place there, like when Muhammad Ali fought Ken Norton there [in their 1973 rematch, which Arum promoted]. Marquez is a guy who earned his bones there. The Forum is where he established himself and this is going to be a great homecoming for him.
"I've been in this business for so long and, to me, the history is important. I'm really thrilled for my company to be re-opening the new Forum for boxing."
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