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Beaten Juan Manuel Marquez says Timothy Bradley fight could be last

Juan Manuel Marquez connects with a right to the head of Timothy Bradley in the 11th round of their WBO welterweight title bout.
Juan Manuel Marquez connects with a right to the head of Timothy Bradley in the 11th round of their WBO welterweight title bout.
(Julie Jacobson / Associated Press)
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LAS VEGAS -- Juan Manuel Marquez believed that landing more telling punches on Timothy Bradley had made him the first Mexican boxer to win world titles in five different weight classes.

As has happened before in Las Vegas, Marquez was mistaken.

So at age 40, after a fourth major decision in this town has gone against him, Marquez said he is contemplating retirement.

“The people saw a good performance, but the judges did it again,” Marquez said late Saturday night after Bradley beat him by split-decision to retain his World Boxing Organization welterweight title at Thomas and Mack Center.

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“We came prepared to win this fifth title. We were happy with this performance. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the victory. To fight here in Las Vegas, I need to knock people out to get a victory.”

That’s what he did in December to Manny Pacquiao.

Saturday’s punch statistics showed Marquez connecting on 115 power punches to Bradley’s 86. Bradley, however, landed more overall punches, 168-153, and dominated in jabs landed, 82-38.

In the bout’s signature moment, Bradley (31-0) staggered Marquez late in the 12th round with a hard left to the head.

Judge Robert Hoyle scored it 115-113 for Bradley, and Patricia Morse Jarman had it 116-112 in the Palm Springs’ fighter’s favor while Glenn Feldman scored it 115-113 for Marquez.

Marquez trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain, no stranger to Las Vegas judging despair following Marquez’s 2004 draw to Pacquiao followed by a 2008 split-decision loss to the Filipino superstar and a 2011 majority-decision defeat, vented after the loss.

Bradley, meanwhile, held up the belt he obtained by beating Pacquiao in a highly controversial 2012 split decision in Las Vegas.

There was nowhere near the same objections to Bradley being named the winner Saturday after his faster footwork and punches marked up Marquez’s face and kept him away from Marquez’s heaviest hits.

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Bradley’s “a good fighter,” Beristain said, “and he’s very lucky. He’s the only undefeated fighter with two losses.”

Asked if he’ll ever fight in Nevada again, Marquez said, “I don’t think so.”

Asked if he’ll fight again or retire, Marquez answered, “Retire.”

Beristain said, “We haven’t discussed that,” and Marquez’s friend and promoter in Mexico, Fernando Beltran, said hopelessly he’d like a Bradley rematch in Mexico City, to which Bradley’s attorney said, “No way.”

As Marquez left the arena to the chill of a desert night Saturday, he was asked by a reporter if he really wanted to end his career here.

“It’s a difficult decision,” said Marquez, turning to a reporter, revealing a swollen, bruised face. “What do you think?”

Marquez was told he fought gamely and likely has at least a couple more fights left in him.

“I don’t think so,” Marquez said, walking away.

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Timothy Bradley captures a split decision over Juan Manuel Marquez

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