Updated 11.55
JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ says people keep telling him he beat Manny Pacquiao in their three previous fights, but he is not going to rest until the referee raises his hand in the centre of the ring.
“A lot of people feel I beat him,” Marquez says. “But I want to have my hand raised. I want the judges to really look at what they are doing and get it right this time.”
Marquez lost a controversial decision to Pacquiao 13 months ago. He lost a tight split decision in 2008 and they fought to a draw in their first fight in 2004.
Organizers have decided to use Kenny Bayless as the referee who will be in the ring with the two fighters. The three judges, John Keane, Steve Weisfeld and Adalaide Byrd, were not part of any of the three previous bouts.
“The only thing I am asking for them is to be fair and for them to qualify what is happening in the ring,” Marquez says. “It is a great selection of judges. They are very professional.”
When Filipino southpaw Pacquiao and Marquez enter the ring on Saturday for their non-title welterweight bout at the MGM Grand Hotel, it will be the fourth time in eight years they have fought.
Neither one goes out of his way to antagonize the other but they aren’t chummy.
“We are both professionals,” Marquez said. “I don’t think there is any hate there. There’s a rivalry but it is professional.
“Looking back on the last three fights, I know I can compete with him and beat him. I’ve prepared myself better than I ever have.”
The undercard is headlined by a 12-round IBF lightweight title bout between Mercito Gesta of the Philippines and Mexican Miguel Vazquez.
Meanwhile there will be a keen Irish interest when Dublin’s Patrick Hyland takes on Javier Fortuna for the interim WBA featherweight title.
