Zanfer Promotions, the promoter of record for Juan Manuel Marquez (53-6-1, 39 KOs), has reported he will make his return to the ring on April 21 when he takes on the light-punching Argentinean southpaw Cesar Cuenca (42-0, 1 KO) in Mexico.
Marquez, who lost a close split decision to Manny Pacquiao in November, was in preliminary talks to meet with IBF/WBA junior welterweight champion Lamont Peterson, but was left without an opponent when Peterson chose to accept a rematch offer with Amir Khan instead. Marquez, who was recently stripped of his WBA and WBO lightweight championships, will take on Cuenca, rated No. 1 by the WBO, in a junior welterweight tune-up bout as he holds out for a fourth Pacquiao fight in the fall.
Cuenca has never fought outside of Argentina and his only knockout victory came nearly seven years ago against Andres Pablo Villafane.
