John eyes bout with magical Mexican Marquez

Reuters: Unbeaten Indonesian featherweight Chris John already has one win over Juan Manuel Marquez and after seeing the Mexican knock out Manny Pacquiao on Saturday he is keen to move up in weight and face him again.

Marquez’s stunning sixth round knockout of Pacquiao, considered one of the all-time greats of the sport, in Las Vegas on Saturday has made the Mexican welterweight (55-6-1 40 knockouts) a hot commodity.

The 39-year-old has not ruled out a fifth bout against Pacquiao, with undefeated American light-welterweight Brandon Rios also a possibility, but John believes he should be next in line for a shot at the Mexican, possibly at lightweight.

“I will fight Marquez at any weight because it is big money,” the 33-year-old was quoted as saying in Monday’s Straits Times. “I am a much better boxer than him and I have more speed and skill.”

The duo met in Indonesia in 2006 with John claiming a unanimous points decision victory to defend his WBA featherweight title, though Marquez was unhappy at being docked points in the late rounds for low blows.

John’s Australian promoter, Angelo Hyder, told the newspaper the fight could happen in a neutral venue.