Trainer tells Juan Manuel Marquez not to take on fifth fight against Pacquiao

The long-time trainer of four-division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez is the first one to oppose a looming fifth showdown with old rival Manny Pacquiao.

Nacho Beristain said there is no sense for the two great fighters of their era to meet in the ring again after four dramatic encounters over a 10-year span which Marquez highlighted with a sensational sixth-round knockout over Pacquiao in their last bout two years ago at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Beristain made his feelings known about another Marquez-Pacquiao match after Top Rank Promotions chairman Bob Arum floated the possibility of a fifth fight between the two ring nemesis on November 16 in Macau.

Arum discussed the idea after Marquez scored a resounding 12-round unanimous decision over Mike Alvarado last week.

Marquez did not categorically turn down the proposal, saying he wants to take a rest first before deciding on whether he’ll take the offer or not.

But for Beristain, Pacquiao is no longer a viable opponent.

“I will do everything possible to prevent Juan Manuel Marquez from stepping in the ring with Pacquiao for a fifth time,” said the Hall of Fame trainer. “If it were up to me, he would not do a fifth fight.”

Becoming the first Mexican warrior to win a world title in a fifth division is one motivation that keeps the 40-year-old Marquez going, especially with Pacquiao staking his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight championship belt in his next bout.

Beristain however, would have none of it, stressing there are more fights to be conquered in the horizon other than the boxing champion from General Santos City.

“I know the desire of Juan Manuel Marquez and myself, to conquer a [world title in a] fifth division, but it should not be against Pacquiao,” he said.

Then again, there’s also the money factor.

Marquez’s biggest fight purse came in his 2012 match with the 35-year-old Filipino champion when he earned a cool US$6 million guaranteed prize money. In contrast, he only received US$1.4 million when he fought Alvarado last week.

Beristain has not discussed the possible fight money involved in a fifth Pacquiao-Marquez match, but is adamant in saying the Mexican no longer has "anything to prove."

“People will remember him for what he’s done in his career, for giving people big fights, for having faced the best of his time,” said Beristain.

Pacquiao and Marquez first fought to a controversial draw in 2004 that saw the Filipino knocking down the Mexican three times in the first round in a blazing start.

The fighting congressman from Sarangani went on to win close decisions their next two meetings in 2008 and 2011. - Gerry Ramos, SPIN