Rafael Marquez says he'll be ready by November, maybe sooner

Yesterday's reports of an injury to featherweight star Rafael Marquez had us speculating whether or not he'd fight Juan Manuel Lopez in 2010. Today, it appears he will, as he looks to merely postpone his set September 18 fight. Ernesto Castellanos of NotiFight.com reports at BoxingScene.com that Marquez says he'll be ready to fight by mid-October or early November at the latest.

The 35-year-old Marquez even says he won't stop his training, only that he won't use his right hand, which is the hand with the injured thumb. He will continue using his left hand to punch, and will do his usual workouts.

It's good news that the fight is merely postponed. It was a date circled on every diehard fight fan's calendar, and if Marquez had not (or is not) able to make up the date rather quickly, Lopez and fans would be stuck with a lesser opponent most likely.

There's been no word about a potential venue change with a date change. The fight had been set for the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.