MACAU – Fernando Beltran, the Mexican promoter of Juan Manuel Marquez, is in town to do two things: watch Manny Pacquiao against Chris Algieri on Sunday at the Cotai Arena and determine if there is a chance that a fifth fight between Pacquiao and Marquez can be done for 2015.
If Pacquiao gets past Algieri, Beltran said a possible fifth duel could be arranged even if Marquez has stated repeatedly that he is no longer interested in facing his Filipino nemesis.
The last time they fought two years ago, Marquez dealt Pacquiao a sixth-round smackdown in Las Vegas and the 41-year-old Mexican counter-puncher said there is no more reason to face him.
But Beltran said “anything is possible” and Marquez, who defeated Mike Alvarado last May, might end up having a change of heart.
Pacquiao still has something that Marquez badly wants – a fifth world title and winning it would make him the first Mexican fighter to win five titles in as many weight classes.
Marquez had actually attempted to win that fifth crown but was denied by Tim Bradley last year.
The rivalry between Pacquiao and Marquez stretches back to 2004 when they battled to a thrilling 12-round draw.
In their next two matches, Pacquiao won by a split decision in 2008 and prevailed once more by majority decision in 2011, decisions that Marquez said should have been in his favor.
In their epic fourth fight, Marquez sent Pacquiao down in the third round but had to pick himself up from the floor in the fifth.
In the sixth canto, Marquez, blood flowing from his nostrils and retreating like a wounded prey, then countered with a right hand that sent Pacquiao to dreamland with one second remaining.