Rocky Juarez: “I think Pacquiao is still a great fighter and a great champion, but Marquez has always had his number”

Former world title challenger Rocky Juarez recently appeared on the 217th edition of “On The Ropes” to discuss his future in the sport after his recent comeback win. Juarez, now 34 has challenged for a title 6 times, and while coming close, he still has his eyes on winning a championship belt in 2014. Besides discussing his own future, Juarez also talked about former opponent Juan Manuel Marquez, the possibility of a fifth Marquez-Pacquiao bout. Additionally Rocky talks about whether or not he would be interested in meeting Abner Mares in a title fight. Here is what Rocky Juarez had to say.

Jenna J: Rocky you came back after a year and a half outside the ring, you beat Rene Alvarado. How do you feel about the performance you had?

Rocky Juarez: I’m happy with the victory. Every fighter after a fight can always point out mistakes and things they should have done better, but I’m just gonna leave it at that and just be glad that we came out with the victory this time.

Jenna J: You’ve won two straight fights, you just won the WBC Silver featherweight title. What opponents do you see out there for you, who would you like to fight?

Rocky Juarez: Well of course Jhonny Gonzalez has the gold belt, I feel like that would be a great match up. I believe the Mexican Russian (Evgeny Gradovich) has a title at 126lbs. Basically those are the only two champions I know that have titles right now, so any opportunity to fight them, I would jump on it.

Jenna J: Would you consider going back to 130lbs for the right opportunity?

Rocky Juarez: Well, I don’t know. I have the 126lb title, I’ve been in the game professional wise for 14 years, I started my career at 126lbs and that’s probably where I should finish it.

The only reason I ever moved up to 130lbs in the first place was because of the opportunity to fight they gave me against (Marco Antonio) Barrera, and I think after that fight, and giving him the match up that I did, they continued to match me up at 130lbs. I felt strong at 130, but I believe I’m just a natural 126lb’er.

Jenna J: Juan Manuel Marquez recently returned to the ring, a fighter you once faced before. Could you have ever imagined that he would still be fighting today at the level he’s fighting at the age of 40?

Rocky Juarez: He inspires me, you know. Marquez, I remember we never had no animosity towards each other. His fighting skills speak for itself. To be able to do what he’s doing at the age of 40, and achieve what he’s achieved, it’s just astonishing accomplishment.

I remember fighting him, I was wondering, what if I had never got cut in the first round due to an accidental head butt? What would the fight have been if not receiving the cut in the first round?

I take nothing away from Marquez, he’s a great champion — Bernard Hopkins also, he’s doing what he’s doing at the age that he’s at. It’s unbelievable, it makes us older fighters — us veterans — more confident in our ability to be able to win with our mind rather than our youth.

Jenna J: There’s a lot of talk that Manny Pacquiao could be fighting Marquez for a fifth time. If that fight happens, who are you picking and why?

Rocky Juarez: I think Marquez. I would have to pick Marquez because Marquez has always been close. Pacquiao is still a great champion, I love Pacquiao, but I think Marquez is more committed to the sport of boxing than Pacquiao, I believe in my personal opinion. I think I would have to choose Marquez over Pacquiao.

Jenna J: Pacquiao has had struggles in recent years. Do you think he’s the same fighter that he used to be, or is he not as hungry?

Rocky Juarez: I’m not gonna say he’s not as hungry. I think Pacquiao is still a great fighter and a great champion, but Marquez has always had his number. Marquez knows how to figure him out. Styles make fights, and I feel that Pacquiao and Marquez are both each others nemeses. They were meant for each other, for great fights.

Jenna J: Floyd Mayweather Jr. continues to make headlines. There’s a lot of talk about who he should face on September 13th, some people want to see him fight the winner of Martinez-Cotto, would you like to see that?

Rocky Juarez: No, I don’t believe so. I think Mayweather’s already beaten Cotto — Cotto gave Mayweather a hell of a fight. Martinez, I think he’s just too big for Mayweather. I believe Mayweather should probably fight, I’d be more interested in seeing Mayweather fight Keith Thurman, somebody young. Keith Thurman is good, I think that fight would be more interesting to me. I think it would be a fight that I would pay to see.

Jenna J: When do you expect to see yourself back in the ring?

Rocky Juarez: That would have to be up to my promoter and I would like to be back in the ring hopefully soon, within the next 3 to 4 months. I’ll be back in the gym within the next two weeks.

Jenna J: One fighter I didn’t mention for you that’s out there, Abner Mares. He’s with Goldenboy Promotions, it’s something that can be made. Would you be interested in facing off with him?

Rocky Juarez: The way I see it, whoever they match me up with — after this fight, after I won the silver belt — if it so happens that I have to fight another fight in order to fight for a world championship, then so be it. If given the opportunity to fight for a world title in my next bout, I would take it. I’m 34 years old, my goal and dream was always to become a world champion, so I would have to just do what I feel is best for me at that moment.

Jenna J: Would you be interested in fighting Abner Mares, being that he’s a former 2 division world champion?

Rocky Juarez: Oh it would be no problem, I’ve never ducked any fighter. I believe he’s a young fighter who’s shown what he’s capable of. He’s a great fighter and I’m a big fan, but if it makes sense, then yeah of course it would be no problem on my part.