By Miguel Rivera

Former four division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez admitted on 'Golpe a Golpe' that a legacy fight with Miguel Cotto is far more important to him than a big money offer for a fifth fight with Manny Pacquiao.

Marquez made it clear that he must first be 100 percent in the gym and then look to finalize his next fight.

It was revealed a few days ago, by Cotto himself, that his handlers are back in talks with Marquez's team. They were involved in serious negotiations last year, but their talks fell apart after both sides were unable to get on the same page with the contracted catch-weight.

Marquez was offered a lot of money for a fifth fight with Pacquiao, but turned it down. He last fought the Filipino star in 2012 and knocked him out cold in the sixth round. Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, confirmed the meeting with Marquez and said the Mexican fighter had no interest - regardless of the money - to fight Pacquiao again.

Marquez has been out of the ring since May 2014, when he won a twelve round decision over Mike Alvarado. Cotto has been away since November of 2015, when he lost a decision to Canelo Alvarez. Cootto was set to return on February 25 in Texas against James Kirkland, but the fight fell out last week after Kirkland fractured his nose in training camp.

"I was offered a fifth fight with Pacquiao for a very good amount of money. The economic factor is important, but what moves me more is legacy... it moves me more to have a great opponent in the ring. With Pacquiao we closed that chapter and Cotto is a great fighter, he has a great legacy, the Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry that is always at the top of the mountain," said Marquez in the talk with Alvaro Morales.

"Logically it has to be a good offer, money is important but not so much... it would be an interesting fight, especially the rivalry. I would like a neutral venue, New York is the place for him, I would like Las Vegas - where both both Mexicans and Puerto Ricans can go. We can make a great fight, a great entry into that rivalry, but I have to start training. It has to be this year. I have two years of inactivity. I also have to train and see how I feel.