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Friday, September 18, 2009

Marquez: I will hand Mayweather first loss


Juan Manuel Marquez is confident he will do something no fighter has accomplished: defeat Floyd Mayweather Jr., who is back after a 15-month retirement.

Mainstream boxing fans likely identify Juan Manuel Marquez with two fights in which his arm was not raised in victory.

Nonetheless, Marquez's two close bouts against Manny Pacquiao over a four-year span failed to remove him from the top 10 of most best ``pound-for-pound'' lists.

And although he would welcome a third bout with Pacquiao, who defeated Marquez in a close split decision in March 2008 and fought him to a draw four years earlier, Marquez has an attractive alternative for his 56th career fight Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Marquez will face Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a highly anticipated bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The bout will be Mayweather's first after a 15-month retirement.

At the time of his departure, Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) was considered the sport's best fighter. During his absence, fight observers elevated Pacquiao to the top spot after his narrow escape against Marquez and knockout victories over David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) doesn't buy the argument and still rates Mayweather above Pacquiao.

``In my mind, Floyd Mayweather is the number one pound-for-pound fighter, and to be number one, you have to fight number one,'' said Marquez, who remained in the mix for marquee bouts with knockout victories over Miami's Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz.

``I know people are betting against me, but it doesn't matter to me.''

The odds indeed don't favor Marquez, who now is considered Mexico's best active fighter.

Despite remaining busy during Mayweather's absence, Marquez, a three-division world champion, has never fought above the 135 pound-lightweight limit. Saturday's bout was scheduled to be at a catchweight of 144, although Mayweather weighed in at 146 on Friday. Marquez weighed in at 142.

``This fight is a different weight for me,'' Marquez said. ``I worked very hard. I built up my speed and my strength.''

An adept counterpuncher, Marquez also has worked on prefight strategy. In interviews leading to Saturday's fight, Marquez has stressed the importance of pressuring Mayweather.

``There is no blueprint to beat me,'' Mayweather said. ``There is a blueprint to beat Marquez because he has been beaten before.''

Marquez strongly believes he will tag the first loss on Mayweather's record. So dominant has Mayweather been since his professional debut 12 years ago that he had not lost a fight on a judge's scorecard until he defeated De La Hoya in a split decision in May 2007.

``These are the kind of fights that motivate me,'' Marquez said. ``I'm going to prove everybody wrong.''

The Mayweather-Marquez fight, available on pay-per-view, will start shortly after 11 p.m.. The pay-per-view telecast starts at 9 and also will feature Chris John's defense of his World Boxing Association featherweight title against Rocky Juarez.

Three local movie theaters -- Aventura 24, Dolphin 19 and Miami Lakes 17 -- also will show the Mayweather-Marquez fight and undercard. Admission is $15.

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/1240828.html

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