ALA wants Marquez as Jaca’s next foe

MEXICAN boxing icon Juan Manuel Marquez has been looking for a Filipino southpaw opponent in preparation for a possible fourth fight with lefty Manny Pacquiao.

Al Sabaupan, a Manny Pacquiao lookalike, was being considered and so was Mercito Gesta, who are both Filipino southpaws.

However, there is one more Filipino southpaw who wants to have a crack at one of the best counter punchers in the game and that is Jimrex Jaca.

“We'll try to negotiate a fight with Marquez. He has been looking for a southpaw opponent; here is Jimrex,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer after Jaca’s impressive knockout win over Angel Martinez last Saturday night.

Aldeguer believes that Jaca deserves to be back in the limelight, in the big fights against the big names of his division.

Jaca shared the ring with the 38-year-old Marquez almost six years ago. Jaca, who was an up-and-comer that time, fought gallantly against Marquez before he was knocked out in the ninth round in Texas. Marquez and Jaca fought at the featherweight division.

“That would be great if he would fight me again,” said Jaca."It would be a challenge fighting him again. I'm excited about it."

Jaca felt that he wasn't comfortable at the weight division, when he first fought Marquez. But right now he feels that he has a huge chance of beating Marquez with the correct weight and the right training at the ALA Gym.

“I really have gained power in this division,” he said.