By Mark Vester
WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez plans to rise to the occassion when he challenges Floyd Mayweather Jr. on July 18 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. For may years Marquez has been waiting for a fight to make his career stand out, and he says a win over Mayweather will put him ahead of the pack and force a third meeting with Manny Pacquiao.
"I know Floyd's style. He is a great boxing and undefeated but I've never had the opportunity [to fight him]. I invite everyone to see the fight on July 18. I am going to prepare very well and rise to the occassion," Marquez said to The Record.
"I am going to give the very best of myself. Everyone knows that I put everything on the line, and that I rise to the occassion. That's what I'm going to do. I want the victory here. It's not important that I'm the betting underdog. What is, and has always been important, is proving everyone wrong and this time will be no exception."
Marquez says the he took the fight to become the best boxer in the world. His dream is to become the number one pound-for-pound fighter in boxing.
"My dream is to be the best and to do that I have to face the best. Pacquiao does not want anything to do with me, so I decided to fight the best and that is Floyd Mayweather," Marquez said.
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