By Ronnie Nathanielsz

RING Magazine lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, who scored a ninth-round technical knockout of International Boxing Organization champion Juan ?Baby Bull? Diaz  to also win the vacant World Boxing Organization and International Boxing Federation titles, continues to seek a trilogy with Manny Pacquiao.

World Boxing Council ring physician Dr. Allan Recto, who met Marquez at the airport in Mexico City, following his arrival from Houston, Texas, where the Diaz fight took place, said the champ wants to fight the winner of the Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton light welterweight title bout. He said Marquez was hoping Pacquiao wins so he could fight him for a third time.

The first time they clashed, Pacquiao dropped Marquez three times in the opening round, but the Mexican fought back to salvage a  draw while in the rematch, a single knockdown by Pacquiao helped him win a close fight by a split decision.

Marquez told Recto he doesn?t think Pacquiao should be a heavy favorite to beat Hatton. ?But Pacquiao is faster and Hatton just fights frontally and Manny has a bigger chance of winning.?

He added: ?I was treated well when I came to the Philippines. I am happy for the support of the people and I am willing to fight Pacquiao.?

Marquez said he was not concerned whether a possible Pacquiao fight would take place in November or December. ?Let?s just do it.?

Recalling his visit to Manila last year, Marquez asked Filipinos to accept a third fight between him and Pacquiao ?for the good of the sport and the good of the people.?

Prior to his departure for London, when asked whether he was willing to fight Marquez again, Pacquiao made it clear he had relinquished the WBC lightweight title and would continue to fight at light welterweight (140 pounds). ?Tell him to move up in weight. I have no problem fighting him.?

Pacquiao was preparing for the final media conference at the Imperial War Museum in London at 11 a.m. (7 p.m. Manila time, Monday) to promote his ?Battle of East and West? with Hatton at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2.

The conference will be closed to the public, but that is not likely to prevent scores of Filipino fans from showing up to greet their hero as they have done since his arrival in London.