Juan Manuel Marquez has backed Floyd Mayweather to do what he did and beat Manny Pacquiao in style.
Marquez stunned the world when he knocked Pacquiao out cold with a stunning right hand in the sixth round of their 2012 encounter here at the MGM Grand.
It was the fourth time the Mexican star had fought Pacquiao having lost twice and drawn once with his Filipino adversary during the eight previous years.
Some people questioned whether Pacquiao would ever be the same again after such a chilling defeat but victories over Brandon Rios, Timothy Bradley and Chris Algieri in the past 18 months have manoeuvred him into this, the richest fight in history.
Marquez said: “Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter and he has bounced back very well in time for this fight.
“He has prepared himself very well and I think people want to see this great fight.”
Along with Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, the 41-year-old is one of only five men on the planet to have shared the ring with both Mayweather and Pacquiao.
So he is well placed to predict who will come out on top in this one.
He said: “I think Mayweather wins this fight, he has the perfect style. He is very smart, uses his feet very well and uses his distance perfectly.
"That is the key. If he does all that then he will win this one on points.”
Marquez was famously behind on the scorecards before his one-shot finish put an end to his fourth fight with Pacquiao.
And the Mexican has not ruled out Pacquiao finding a similar punch from the Gods to put a stop to Mayweather.
He added: “Maybe this fight is going to a decision, going all 12 rounds.
“But I think if Pacquiao can connect one power punch then maybe Mayweather will go down.
“But if Mayweather can use his experience and technique I think we will get a decision.”
