LAS VEGAS — When Floyd Mayweather Jr. returns from a 21-month retirement to fight Juan Manuel Marquez tonight at the MGM Grand Garden, the fighter who nicknamed himself “Money” is certainly in it for the cash, which will be used to pay off a few IRS debts and perhaps some bills on his “Big Boy” mansion in the Vegas suburbs.
He won’t get quite as much money after showing up to Friday’s weigh-in 2 pounds over the 144-pound limit, which likely cost him a six-figure contract penalty. Mayweather weighed in 4 pounds heavier than the 142-pound Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs), who agreed to stay in the fight for a fatter paycheck.
Judging by the long odds in Vegas’ sportsbooks, most people can’t imagine how the smaller Mexican star can compete with the former pound-for-pound king. Marquez’s counter-punching style could be tough to use against Mayweather, perhaps the best defensive fighter of his generation. If Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) can dodge and duck punches as he usually does while occasionally stinging Marquez, he could control the bout.
“There’s a blueprint on how to beat Marquez,” Mayweather Jr. said. “There’s not a blueprint on how to beat me.”
