Juan Manuel Marquez, from Mexico, left, celebrates his win over Manny Pacquiao in their WBO world welterweight fight Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, in Las Vegas. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — There’s no title on the line, but a lot of pride and a future lottery fight will be at stake when Juan Manuel Marquez and Mike Alvarado clash on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at The Forum in Inglewood, California.
The winner of the 12-round bout is likely to be given a crack at the World Boxing Organization crown being held by Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 16 in Macau.
Both Marquez and Alvarado are coming off losses and will be waging war to get back on track of the pennant derby.
Marquez, who was beaten by Tim Bradley last year, came in at a light 141.6 pounds while Alvarado, beaten by Russian Ruslan Provodnikov in their WBO title showdown also last year, was a bit heavier at 143.3 for the bout set at 144 pounds.
Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank earlier announced that whoever wins between the two technical fighters will be pitted against Pacquiao at The Venetian Macao.
The 40-year-old Marquez, who holds a 55-win, 7-loss, 1-draw card with 40 knockouts is best remembered for knocking out Pacquiao cold with one second to go in the sixth round of their battle in 2012.
Alvarado (34-2 with 23 KOs), on the other hand, is regarded as a skillful ring tactician in the mold of Marquez, a four-division world champion.
Owing to his split decision loss to Bradley, Marquez settled for a much lower purse of $1.4 million to face the dangerous Alvarado.
A day after beating Bradley, Pacquiao told Filipino sportswriters that Marquez-Alvarado will be an interesting bout.