Marquez’s featherweight title on line

By Jeff Haney

Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004 | 10:02 a.m.

Juan Manuel Marquez, fresh off a controversial 12-round draw against Manny Pacquiao on May 8 at the MGM Grand, returns to the ring in the featured undercard bout Saturday night.

Marquez will take on Orlando Salido, a fellow Mexican, in a featherweight title fight before Oscar De La Hoya and Bernard Hopkins square off in the main event.

Marquez, 31, is 42-2-1 with 33 knockouts; 24-year-old Salido is 23-8-1 with 13 knockouts.

Marquez was knocked down three times by Pacquiao in the first round, and escaped with a draw only after one judge mistakenly scored that round 10-7 rather than 10-6.

"There are certain things in boxing that you never forget," promoter Bob Arum said Wednesday. "After Pacquiao knocked Marquez down for the third time, it looked like he was finished, but the fight wasn't over.

"Juan Manuel Marquez made one of the greatest comebacks in boxing history. It will be remembered as one of the most courageous (performances) of all time."

If Marquez takes care of business against Salido in their scheduled 12-rounder, Arum said, it could lead to a rematch against Pacquiao next year.

Also on the undercard Saturday: