Rafael Marquez Ready to Return

Posted by Salvador Rodriguez on 05.18.2009

The former junior featherweight champ wants Vazquez or another title.

For Rafael Marquez, the urge and anticipation is high for his return to the ring after 14 months of inactivity. Not much time is left however for the two-time champ as he'll be fighting on May 23 inside the Monterrey Arena against Columbian Jose Mendoza in a 10-round featherweight bout.

"I'm anxious to get this inactivity off of me but I can say today that I'm well; I've been training for eight months in preparations to give a good fight and I have not underestimated my opponent," said Marquez after finishing a recent workout at the Romanza Gym.

However, Rafa is looking into the future in hopes of getting a fourth fight with Israel Vazquez in September or a title shot at either junior featherweight, or at featherweight where he'll look for a title in a third weight class.

"I'll arrive in Monterrey ready for a title shot at the Columbian will ruin that for me," added Marquez.

"I'd like to fight with Vazquez, depending on whether or not he gets his license back soon and assuming our promoters can arrive to an agreement, but I really want the fight because I was left with a bad taste in my mouth as I feel I won the fight but a fourth bout would be a gret for me and my fans," concluded Rafael.