Mayweather-Marquez Set for July 18

The inevitable comeback on Floyd Mayweather was confirmed last Saturday (April 2) via a press conference with fellow elite fighter Juan Manuel Marquez.





Mayweather has made known his desire to face the winner of Hatton-Pacquiao. However, the multi-division champ must first get through a “tune-up” fight at 143 pounds with the smaller, but highly skilled and dangerous Juan Manuel Marquez.





“To be considered the best in the world, you have to fight the best, and I have made it clear even when Mayweather was away from the sport that he was the only man I really wanted to fight," explained Marquez, who fought Manny Pacquiao in two close, controversial decisions. "I'm happy that he's come out of retirement and accepted my challenge. Unfortunately for him he might be sorry he came back at all."





Mayweather, who retired less than a year ago at 39-0 after a knockout win over Ricky Hatton, detailed that his July bout would be the first of several megafights to close out his career.





"I am not wasting any time with a tune-up fight," Mayweather declared. "I'm going straight to the top. Marquez called me out immediately after his victory over Juan Diaz in February and now he gets his wish. What he is going to find out is that you should be very careful what you wish for. The rest of those fighters who called me out can get in line too because they are going to get their chance...one at a time and slowly but surely. It's going to be a great return and a wonderful experience. Don't blink… I’m back!"





After a near two year sabbatical away from the ring, it’ll be intriguing to see where Mayweather’s timing, speed, and stamina are at. Make no mistake; Marquez will present problems for “Money” Mayweather due to his fantastic combination punching and ability to adjust strategy multiple times during a fight. However, expect Mayweather’s larger size and great defense to see him through to a spectacular KO by the mid rounds.