• Boxing

Triumphant Marquez snubs Khan to pursue Pacquiao

ESPN staff
August 1, 2010
Juan Manuel Marquez had too much technique for Juan Diaz © Getty Images
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Juan Manuel Marquez appears set to snub an end-of-year fight with Amir Khan in order to pursue a third encounter with Manny Pacquiao.

Marquez defeated Juan Diaz via a unanimous points decision at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday night, out-boxing his foe over 12 rounds. The pair's previous encounter had seen Diaz stopped in the ninth round after dominating the opening two stanzas, but Marquez this time produced a much more calculated performance to retain his WBO lightweight title.

"The first one was difficult, it was a war for both," Marquez said on Sky Sports. "This was more technical but I managed to come out on top. He's a great fighter. He knows some technique. But tonight the technique was in our favour."

Marquez had been linked with a December bout with Khan, who was in the crowd, but the Mexican immediately stated his intention to take revenge against Pacquiao. The pair have met twice before, with Pacquiao claiming victory via split decision in the second bout after the first ended in a controversial draw.

Marquez wants to end the trilogy in decisive fashion, although it seems he may have to wait after Pacquiao's camp recently revealed a potential clash with Antonio Margarito. Nevertheless, Marquez was adamant it is the Filipino fighter he wants next.

"The trilogy is what we want," he said. "It's the best thing for boxing, for the fans."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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