By Jonny Stapleton

Paul McCloskey’s May 5 clash with DeMarcus Corley has taken a new twist after he was named as a possible opponent for ring legend Juan Manuel Marquez’s July 14 title defence.

The WBO interim light welterweight champion has booked the Cowboy’s stadium for that night and the four-weight king has targeted a southpaw challenge before fighting for the full version of the title.

Manny Pacquiao’s kryptonite has told his promotional team to get either ‘Dudey’ or Mercito Gesta as his next opponent.

McCloskey claims he is honoured to be linked to the Mexican great and stressed he would love to share the ring with Marquez regardless of the proposed date being just nine weeks after the Corley fight.

“It’s an honour to be linked with a showdown with Juan Manuel and it’s a dream fight for me. May 5 has always been a pivotal night as I aim to get back into World title contention, and this news has made a huge occasion even bigger.”

McCloskey’s promoter Eddie Hearn says the May 5 show has taken on even greater significance with the former unbeaten European champion in the running for a shot at the pound-for-pound Mexican great.

“Paul’s name has been mentioned by JMM’s team in the last week and I reached out to Top Rank yesterday to let them know that we’d love the fight,” said Hearn. “I think we are in with a decent chance but a convincing win against Corley in front of a packed King’s Hall crowd would strengthen our case for a July clash with Marquez.”