Marquez’s coach says no to facing Pacquiao, Mayweather

MANILA, Philippines – Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain, the long-time boxing coach of four-division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez, is closing the door on the possibility of his valued pupil crossing paths with either Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr. once again after both men’s super-fight on May 2 (May 3 in PH).

Marquez, one of the five common boxers whom Pacquiao and Mayweather faced in the past, was last seen in action when he dominated Mike Alvarado in 12 rounds to capture the vacant WBO International welterweight belt in May 2014.

The 41-year-old Mexican counterpuncher went back to work in the last quarter of 2014 with the intention of competing in the earlier part of this year, but he has not been able to go full stream due to a lingering knee injury that he suffered prior to his bout against Alvarado.

Beristain revealed that Marquez plans to have one more bout before hanging up his gloves for good.

“Juan Manuel Marquez is getting ready and preparing himself to fight one more time. Then say good bye to boxing,” he said in an interview with FightHype.com.

However, the 75-year-old trainer expressed his disinterest in pitting Marquez with either Pacquiao or Mayweather.

Mayweather outpointed Marquez via unanimous decision in his September 2009 return after a brief retirement from prizefighting.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao battled Marquez on four occasions, with the first three matches concluding in controversial fashion.

However, the outcome was different in their December 2012 fourth clash as Marquez turned the fight in his favor when he connected a short right with just a second to go in the sixth round, knocking Pacquiao out cold.

“He cannot be waiting for the winner [of Pacquiao vs. Mayweather]. History has been closed. He has nothing to prove,” Beristain disclosed.

Beristain has mentored Marquez all throughout his 22-year professional career, winning seven world titles in four different weight classes. – Rappler.com