According to WBO/WBA lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, a deal has been reached to fight former WBA super featherweight champion Likar Ramos (24-3, 18KOs) on July 16 in Mexico. Ramos, a southpaw, was selected by Marquez to help him prepare for a November 12 trilogy fight with WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, which takes place at 144-pounds. Talks broke down over money with Marquez's first choice, David Diaz.

"What we wanted was a left-handed opponent and we got it. The opponent is important, but more important is the ability stay active before November," Marquez told Sal Rodriguez. The idea is to fight in Mexico, but we are still negotiating on few things and hopefully we can close something soon."