By Luis Sandoval

Juan Manuel Marquez is getting very close to the end of his sure to be hall of fame career as he prepares to take on undefeated champion Timothy Bradley on October 12th at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV. Both men have had a lot in common recently as they are responsible for handing Manny Pacquiao his two recent back to back losses and have now decided to face each other.

It’s an interesting matchup as it will be Marquez’s experience and ring intelligence against the younger and hungrier Bradley who still feels he hasn’t received his just due. Both fighters produced exciting affairs in their last fights and Marquez feels this fight will be no exception.

“It’s going to be a great fight. A [Roberto]Duran-[Ray]Leonard type fight like back in the day. Where Leonard was very elusive and with speed and Duran was looking for the fight. It could be that type of fight so I expect a difficult fight” said Marquez.

Boxing has produced legendary rivalries and memorable fights that carry on and get passed from generation to generation. In fact, Marquez already has a few of those fights etched on his fight resume including his last fight where he did the unthinkable and knocked Pacquiao out cold.

According to Marquez he feels his clash with Bradley will be another one of those fights we will look back on and try relive over and over.

“I invite [all the fans]. It’s going to be a war. It’s going to be an important, tough, difficult fight and the fans will see a great fight. They will relive fights like I told you like Duran-Leonard, Leonard- Tommy Hearns, Marvin Hagler-Leonard. It’s a great combination for October 12th” declared Marquez.

Bradley who was never really regarded as an all action fighter gave fight fans a surprise and a treat when he put on a war against Ruslan Provodnikov in his last bout as he fought uncharacteristically more aggressive than we had ever seen. While he was exciting and victorious, Bradley’s newfound style didn’t come without its side effects as he was badly hurt and even tasted the canvas during the contest.

While Marquez expects a war, there is the high possibility we won’t see the same Bradley we saw in the Provodnikov fight and instead see the more measured and paced Timothy Bradley. For Marquez, he’s ready for either version.

“I expect him in all forms. I'm going to prepare for anything. I'm going to prepare for his speed, his aggressiveness and to stop and trade. I'm going to be ready for whatever he wants to do. I hope [he stands and trades]. And if he doesn't then we have to look for him. In this type of fight, it’s like a game of chess. We have to look for the fight and see where it’s convenient. It’s an important fight with strategies” Marquez would tell BoxingScene.

Marquez hopes to secure his 5th world title in a 5th weight class when he faces Timothy Bradley in October.

You can follow Luis Sandoval on Twitter @Truewest007. You can also tune in to BoxingScene Radio, Boxingscene’s official audio show every Tuesday from 6-8PM PST with hosts Ernest Gabion, Luis Sandoval, and Ryan Burton.