When Juan Manuel Márquez steps into the ring at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday (Nov. 12), he will face a very familiar opponent in World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao.
The Mexican boxer with world titles in three divisions has walked away from two previous bouts against Pacquiao with blemishes on his 53-5-1 (39 KOs) record.
In 2008, Pacquiao knocked Márquez down in the third round, but the Mexican fought back and managed a cut above Pacquiao's right eye. Márquez lost by decision in 12 rounds, and lost his WBC super featherweight title.
In 2004, Pacquiao knocked Márquez down three times in the first round, but Márquez lasted the entire 12 rounds before losing a draw.
Márquez, 38, insists he won both times.
"They can say what they want. They feel they wont he first two fights, but we feel the same way," said Márquez during a teleconference on Nov. 2.
For Pacquiao, 32, this will be a chance to cement his unofficial title as the world's best pound-for-pound boxer.
"It's personal for me too," said Márquez. If he is upset about me saying that I won the first two fights, then I'm upset that I haven't got the decisions."
Both previous bouts were in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao, a Congressman in his native Philippines where he has become legend, is 53-3-2 (38 KOs) and dabbles in acting and singing. He owns convincing wins over Óscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosely, Antonio Margarito and Marco Antonio Barrera.
Márquez hasn't backed down from his opinion that Pacquiao is not the better fighter.
"Now it's time to shed doubt over who the best fighter is," said Márquez, who epitomizes México style of boxing in the mind of World Boxing Council president José Suliaman, a fellow Mexican.
There are few boxers who believe Márquez can defeat Pacquiao, however.
"I'm leaning toward Pacquiao because he's gotten better and has been able to handle the weight change while moving up," said Robert 'The Ghost' Guerrero, a titlist in three weight divisions.
Guerrero, however, admits that Márquez can present problems.
"Fighters with good feet give Pacquiao problems and that's why Márquez has been successful when they've fought," said Guerrero. "Even though he hasn't won against Manny, he's given him the best challenges."
Pacquiao has a weight advantage, having fought as a welterweight his last four fights. Márquez, who agreed to a catchweight of 144 pounds, has fought once over 140 pounds, and lost at 147 pounds to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"Pacquiao has definitely become a better technical fighter than he was," said Ignacio 'Nacho' Beristain, Márquez's trainer. "He has become a more complete boxer."
José García, a member of the U.S. national boxing team, visited Pacquiao's training camp at Hollywood's Wildcard Gym and worked with Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach.
He, too, believes the Filipino champion will win.
"Márquez is not the same guy he was years ago, and I think it's Márquez's last fight," said García. "But, he'll have to pick it up from the beginning, not be so relaxed, work on his feet more than his power, maybe brawl. If he relaxes, Pac will find a way to counterpunch him."
Guerrero agrees that age could work against Márquez.
"Boxing is a young man's sport with the exception of a few fighters," said Guerrero. "Pacquiao is in his prime, while Márquez is on the downside of his career."
Guerrero, who has sparred with Pacquiao, would love to face him for real upon his return next year ... or Márquez.
"I'll fight either of them to prove that I'm one of the best fighters pound-for-pound in the world," said Guerrero, who claims Márquez has avoided him for two years.
Many critics continue to believe the real test is between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr..
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