By Mark Vester
Don't try to tell Oscar De La Hoya that Manny Pacquiao beat Juan Manuel Marquez. The former six division champion is convinced that Marquez beat Pacquiao when the two fighters met in 2004, and the rematch in 2008. Marquez was knocked down three times in the first round of the 04 bout and fought his way back to a twelve round draw. The opinion was split as to which of them deserved the decision. In 2008, Marquez did better and lost a very close split decision, but the majority of ringside observers scored the fight in his direction by a point or two.
"I don't care what people say, Marquez beat Pacquiao. He got knocked down three times and came back to win every round after that," De La Hoya said.
Marquez meets Floyd Mayweather Jr. on July 18 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. De La Hoya believes that Marquez's style is perfect to beat Mayweather, who Oscar considers the top fighter in the world.
"This fight will pit the best fighter from the United States against the best fighter from Mexico. Styles make fights and Marquez's style will beat Floyd's on July 18th. With the support of all his fans, Marquez will come out on top. Mayweather has beaten everyone he has ever fought. He retired as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world and now he's returning to fight one of the best fighters in the world," De La Hoya said.
"Marquez has already been training in the mountains, and he is ready to go. This is truly a fight that the fans want to get behind. In my eyes, Mayweather is the best in the world, who is about to meet the number one Mexican fighter in the ring to duke it out and show who is truly number one."
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