Floyd Mayweather paid tribute to Juan Manuel Marquez after giving him a 12-round beating at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Mayweather credits Mexican's toughness after winning return
Floyd Mayweather paid tribute to Juan Manuel Marquez after giving him a 12-round beating at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Mayweather returned to the ring for the first time since stopping Ricky Hatton in 10 rounds almost two years ago, winning almost every round against one of the toughest fighters in the world.
Marquez was dropped by a sharp left hook in the second round but remained on his feet for the remainder of the bout, despite taking numerous clean shots from both fists.
And his toughness earned the respect of the victor, who extended his unbeaten record to 40, with 25 wins by stoppage.
"Marquez is as tough as hell," Mayweather said at the post fight press conference. "Tough. I hit him with some shots, I'm thinking he's going to go from that, but he kept coming back and I guess that's that Mexican warrior's heart he's got. He's tough as hell.
Respect
"In the second round when I dropped him with the hook, I thought okay, let's see if I can finish this guy now. Couldn't, too tough, he wasn't going nowhere. I've got a hell of respect for Marquez.
"I came from 130 to 154 and I face the best, we take one day at a time. I don't overlook nobody, I go to the gym every day, work hard and just be the best I can be.
"I just want to keep fighting the best and take one day at a time. Floyd Mayweather's back and I'm going to make some noise in the sport of boxing."
Asked whether this this was one of his best performances, Mayweather revealed that there is much more to come bearing in mind his lengthy absence from the ring.
"That was a good fight for me, I was a little rusty," he added. "I think when I come back I'll be a lot sharper. I don't rate this was one of my best fights, I could have done better, a lot better. But I've been off a couple of years.
"I can't rate myself, I always want to get better, that's all I can say.
"They say (Manny) Pacquiao is number one, I don't have to rate myself, I know what I can do.
"Pound for pound is just opinionated. What the fans realise is Mayweather was a professional for one year, and was a champion for 10 years, six time world champion at five difference classes, never won a vacant title, after two years beat who they say is the number two guy, I didn't rate him they did.
"We don't know who's next. We don't know."
