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Source: Abc Cordero, Philippine Star

Manila, Philippines - Juan Manuel Marquez needs a perfect fall guy for his tuneup fight in July because if he loses then his trilogy with Manny Pacquiao goes down the drain.

Marquez had signed the contract to face Pacquiao on Nov. 12 in Las Vegas and at a catchweight of 144 pounds, and the Mexican said he wants a tuneup fight soon.

He’s looking at David Diaz, who lost his WBC lightweight title in Pacquiao in 2008, as his opponent either on July 2 or July 16, but it was reported yesterday it might not happen.

Marquez and Diaz, according to www.boxingscene.com, couldn’t agree on money matters.

But there could be another story to that since Marquez must think twice before facing Diaz, who said recently that he’s no tuneup fighter if that’s how Marquez looks at him.

“I’m not a tuneup fighter. I don’t plan to be. And that night, if it does happen, it will be a very interesting night,” Diaz told The Examiner when word got out Marquez wants him.

Diaz still has some power and a lot of pride in him he might try to spoil everything for Marquez.

Promoter Bob Arum said Marquez should win his tuneup match.

“If he loses, then we might look for another opponent,” Arum said.

Marquez had already signed the contract to fight Pacquiao, one that guarantees the Mexican counterpuncher the biggest paycheck in his life.

They’ve fought twice in the past, 24 bloody rounds in 2004 and 2008, and on both fights a lot of people think there was really no clear winner.

If the third fight happens, then it will be very good for boxing.

“It will be war in the ring,” said Pacquiao’s adviser, Wakee Salud, yesterday from Cebu City.

“Marquez is not scared of Pacquiao. And he will not run away. He also doesn’t know how to clinch. Bakbakan ito,” he said.

Salud also said Marquez should handily beat Diaz if their fight pushes through, but said he can’t blame the Mexican if he’s having second thoughts on this one.

“Maybe he’s making sure. Because if he loses in that tuneup fight, he loses everything. Better yet, he skips that tuneup fight and train harder instead,” said Salud.