MANILA -- Former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, Jr. claims Juan Manuel Marquez is the better fighter compared to Manny Pacquiao, which is why he picked to fight the Mexican champion.
“Marquez is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He was knocked down three times [by Pacquiao] and still got a draw. We all know who won there. I thought Marquez won the second time,” Mayweather said in a report by Boxing Scene.com.
Mayweather, who is due to face Marquez on September 19, said the Mexican’s ring prowess has prompted him to train hard for the fight.
“I picked the guy who won, not the guy who lost. That tells me to take this fight seriously and to train hard," he said.
Pacquiao and Marquez first fought to a controversial draw in 2004. The Filipino knocked down the Mexican champion thrice in the first round but Marquez fought back to even out the fight.
The two again faced each other four years later where Pacquiao secured a split decision. The Filipino scored a knock down against Marquez in the third round and this gave Pacquiao the victory.
Mayweather, meanwhile, is returning from a near two-year retirement. He will be facing Marquez at a catch weight of 144 pounds.
"I didn't want an easy opponent for my return and that's why I accepted the fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. Marquez is a great Mexican fighter and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing," said the former pound-for-pound king.
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