Marquez said he won’t ruin his sixth-round knockout win over Pacquiao by accepting a fifth clash with the Filipino superstar.
"Keeping that feeling would be grandiose, and to have my Mexican supporters and the whole world enjoy that feeling and say, 'Remember the best pound-for-pound fighter that was knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez?' -- To me, that is worth more than all the money in the world," the Mexican counter puncher said in ESPN.com.
Pacquiao’s camp has offered $13 million to make the fifth, but Marquez would have none of it. The Mexican instead decided to challenge WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley for a lesser amount.
"We know that [Pacquiao’s] offer will be tempting, but it isn't worth more than the feeling, what was lived, what was acquired after that knockout," Marquez said. "That's worth more than several million dollars. I would rather retire with this feeling than take a risk in whatever happens with Pacquiao [such as another controversial decision]."
Meanwhile, Marquez said he was displeased by the rescheduling of his title bout with Bradley.
Instead of fighting Bradley on September 14, Marquez title challenge will take place four weeks later on October 12 to give way to the Floyd Mayweather-Saul Alvarez fight.
However, he assured that his training remain on track.
"I'm running in the mornings, getting stronger at the National Talent Development and High Performance Center in order to start getting some rhythm," Marquez said.
Manny Pacquiao Next Fight Nov. 24 to meet Brandon Rio
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