Juan Manuel Marquez
Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines watches as Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico is knocked down in the fifth round of their welterweight fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada December 8, 2012.[REUTERS/STEVE MARCUS]

Mexican legendary boxer Juan Manuel Marquez knows a thing or two about facing both Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. After all, Marquez fought Pacquiao four times and dealt the most devastating knockout punch to Pacman's career in the waning seconds of the sixth round of their last fight. Marquez lost to Mayweather in the only time they have faced off in the ring and that experience with the pound-for-pound king convinced Marquez that the American undefeated boxer has the edge.

The number 6 pound-for-pound fighter in the world believes that Mayweather's counter-punching, defence and general footwork will be too much to hurdle for the eight-division world champion. While he said that Money will bag the win, he predicts he can never come out on top via knockout.

"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 defence 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 bared at Mexican website Estoenlinea.com.

The comments are in sharp contrast to ones given out by another boxing sensation, Amir Khan, who favoured the Filipino boxer over Mayweather. Khan who spars with Pacquiao said that strength, quickness and explosiveness of Pacman will be too much for the undefeated champion and that he will be the one to deal Money his first defeat.

The pressure for the Mayweather to fight Pacman is mounting after the eight-division world champion displayed a masterful dominance over American challenger Chris Algieri Nov. 23 at Macau, China. Pacquiao won by a unanimous decision that saw him drop Algieri to the canvass six times, with the American escaping a TKO outcome in the later rounds. After the win, Pacquiao declared that he is ready to give the boxing fans the fight they deserve and was even quoted as willing to bag a lesser purse just to lure his rival to agree to a bout.

Mayweather and his camp have been mum on the issue. Money has only posted an Instagram picture of Pacquiao face-flat after his last defeat to Marquez as his response to all the clamour for the super-fight