Juan Manuel Marquez has waited for four long years but believes he is ready to avenge his drawn bout against Manny Pacquiao.
Mexican ready for Pacman showdown
Juan Manuel Marquez has waited four long years but believes he is ready to avenge his drawn bout against Manny Pacquiao in the upcoming WBC super featherweight title re-match.
Marquez will re-ignite his rivalry with the Filipino fighter at Mandalay Bay on March 15, and the Mexican is adamant he will go one better when the pair re-unite in Las Vegas.
"Well I can tell you that I'm a better fighter. I'm a more technical fighter, in better condition, and I proved it in the first fight," said Marquez.
"Watching the first fight I saw that Manny Pacquiao was getting tired, and I wasn't. I was in my prime throughout the fight.
"So I can tell you that that's why I consider myself better than Manny Pacquiao because I'm a better boxer, a better fighter."
Unsurprisingly, the Mexican sees himself as the favourite, and believes he has learnt his lesson from the previous encounter, and will be more prepared come fight-night.
Great fight
"I won't be so confident," Marquez said. "I'm going to be around from the first, when the bell rings until the end of the last round.
"It won't matter what ends the fight, but I'm going to be alert, I'm going to pull all my senses - everything is going to be in the ring.
"I promise you, I won't disappoint you guys. I'm going to be alert, and I won't be as confident, so it's going to be a great fight."
"I'm going put everything in the fight and that's what motivates me now, more than that I need to win this fight."
The 34-year-old believes the re-match labelled "unfinished business" will be a much different type of fight to the Las Vegas encounter four years ago.
"I have acquired more experience, I'm stronger now and I think I have more speed," said Marquez.
"Because of the styles, that's why I'm saying that it's going to be totally different. But, nevertheless, it's going to be a great fight. And I'm going to put everything into it.
Power-punch
Marquez is well-aware of the threat posed by Pacquino, and admits he will have to be wary of the Filipino's speed and ability to produce a power-punch in order to bring home the title
"As you all know, he's a very fast and very quick fighter, a very strong fighter. He has strong punch and that's all I can I worry about," said Marquez.
"We know Manny Pacquiao's left-hand is like a bullet, very powerful and very fast.
"Also, we are aware of his right and left hook. He has become a better fighter and he has a great trainer.
"But I'm prepared and I'm ready for that. I have done a pretty good enough job in the gym conditioning that I think I'm going to win."
