Mayweather Won't Be "Pretty" After His War With Marquez

Former undefeated pound-for-pound champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is slated to fight Mexican bruiser and current WBA and WBO Lightweight world champion Juan Manuel Marquez Saturday night at the MGM Grand arena in Las Vegas.

The fight was initially scheduled to occur this past summer until Mayweather (39-0, 25 Knockouts) was forced to postpone the contest because of a rib injury he suffered while training for the bout.

Mayweather, 32, has not fought since he retired after he decisively TKO'd  Englishman Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton (45-2, 32 Knockouts) in the 10th round of their December 2007 prizefight.

Marquez (50-4-1, 37 knockouts), only the fourth Mexican boxer to become a world champion in three different weight classes, is a tough and formidable pugilist and he will prove to be a worthy opponent for Mayweather this weekend.

"I know people are betting against me," Marquez, 36, said in a recent interview on ESPN. "I have my mind and I have my concentration, and I have the motivation to win."

Mayweather, who was named Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year in 1998 and 2007, said he heard that Marquez intends to target his ribs in their impending showdown.

"Marquez says hes goin after my ribs but theres no weakness in MONEY MAY," Mayweather posted on his twitter account earlier in the week. "Only ribs he'll b diggin n2 will b at Outback after I take him down."(sic)

The native of Mexico City flatly refused to delve into a war of words with "Pretty Boy."

"This fight is the most important fight of my career, and I am going to put everything in the ring," said Marquez, who made his professional boxing debut at the age of 19 after he compiled an impressive record of 35-1 as an amateur. "I don't like to make predictions; I let my fists do the talking."

Mayweather, the winner of the bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, firmly believes he is the greatest fighter in the annals of boxing.

"I respect what (Ray) Robinson and (Muhammad) Ali did for the sport," claimed Mayweather. "But, I am the greatest, and this is my time."

Despite his brash and often abrasive nature, Mayweather acknowledged that Marquez is a legitimate adversary.

"To go down as a legend, you have to face the best in your era and Marquez is one of the best in my era," Mayweather remarked. "You can expect blood, sweat and tears on Saturday night. I predict one hell of a fight."

Because of his nearly two-year hiatus from the sport, it is likely that Mayweather will suffer from some degree of ring rust this weekend.

Nevertheless, expect Mayweather to narrowly escape with a close decision victory over Marquez in a rugged and violent affair.

No matter the ultimate outcome, Marquez is a valiant warrior and it's a safe bet that Mayweather won't be nearly as "Pretty" upon the conclusion of his war tomorrow night with Mexico's resident legend.