Marquez Comments on Upcoming Fight: "I Feel I Can Beat Mayweather"

Las Vegas odds makers currently have Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez as a 4-to-1 underdog in his upcoming bout against undefeated six-time world champion in five different weight classes, Floyd Mayweather Jr. Despite the fact that certain boxing pundits feel that Marquez will have to overcome insurmountable odds to hand Mayweather his first loss, the three-time world champion is exuding confidence in the final day before the fight takes place.

A few of the factors that play a role in the fact that Marquez is such a heavy underdog are that he is traditionally a slow starter in fights, he is moving up two weight divisions to meet Mayweather and he faces a significant speed disadvantage. However, Marquez feels that the hard work and dedication he has put into his training camp have mentally prepared him for battle.

When asked about his upcoming opponent, Marquez responded with respect, class and self-confidence, saying, "I feel he's the best. He's undefeated. He retired, and he's still considered to be the best pound-for-pound in my eyes and in a lot of people's eyes. It's a very hard fight, but mentally I'm preparing myself to win and I feel I can beat Mayweather."

If there is one distinct advantage that Marquez will enjoy in this fight, it is that he has been training for five consecutive months while Mayweather was forced to postpone his training in early July due to a rib injury that pushed the fight back to September. Marquez also has one fight under his belt in 2009, a scintillating knockout victory over Juan Diaz at lightweight in a fight of the year candidate, while Mayweather has not competed since December of 2007, when he dominated Ricky Hatton.