By Miguel Rivera
WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao has looked impressive as of late. After suffering back to back defeats to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012, the Filpino star is now on a three fight win streak.
He returned late last year to win a dominating decision over Brandon Rios. He came back in June to dominate Bradley in their rematch, and last Saturday night he dropped Chris Algieri six times for a very wide decision win.
Marquez has faced both Mayweather and Pacquiao in the ring. In 2009, Mayweather easily handled Marquez over twelve rounds. Pacquiao has struggled against Marquez in all four of their meetings. In the fourth fight in 2012, Pacquiao was knocked out cold in the sixth round.
After fighting both of them, Marquez always gave Mayweather the advantage. Even with Pacquiao's recent streak and Mayweather slowing down a little, the Mexican veteran is still picking Mayweather to win if a 2015 mega-match is made.
"For me, Mayweather would win. He is not a puncher, but he is an artist in the ring. He is the best in terms of defense and he's very quick with counter-punches and that's what hurts Pacquiao. He handles timing very well and it is an important factor and a very harmful weapon against Pacquiao," Marquez told ESPN Deportes.
"[Mayweather] won't win by knockout, but on points. We know that defensively Mayweather is the best in the world and he is considered as the best pound for pound."