Juan Manuel Marquez Still Planning July Tuneup, Al Sabaupan Possible Opponent

Juan Manuel Marquez may have a fourth fight with Manny Pacquiao lined up for November, with Pacquiao set to make a decision soon, and the 38-year-old Mexican star still hopes to land a tune-up on July 21 in Mexico against a southpaw.

The latest name rattling around is 23-year-old Filipino Al Sabaupan, who has been plying his trade at lightweight. Sabaupan's people are saying that they won't take the fight unless the WBO junior welterweight title -- which Marquez now holds in full with Timothy Bradley moving up in weight -- is on the line, and Marquez reportedly will go through with the fight only if he's facing Pacquiao in November, which is not guaranteed.

Sabaupan (19-1-1, 14 KO) has a decent record in terms of wins and losses, but the only legitimate opponent he's faced to date is Marvin Quintero, and Quintero stopped him in nine rounds on April 21 in Mexico. This is a junk fight for Marquez to keep him active, similar to the fight he had in July 2011 against Likar Ramos before facing Pacquiao in November. It's far closer to Ramos, at least, than it is to Serhiy Fedchenko, whom Marquez beat in April of this year.

Marquez had been tied to a July 14 fantasy set for Cowboys Stadium, where rumored opponents included Brandon Rios, Zab Judah, and Erik Morales.