Long layoff the big question mark for Mayweather

Boxers Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) of the U.S. and Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico pose following an official weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada September 18, 2009.

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Floyd Mayweather Jr will put his unbeaten record on the line against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday when the biggest question mark will be the effect of the American's 21-month absence from the ring.

Although Mayweather is heavy favorite to win the non-title welterweight bout at the MGM Grand, he has not fought since his 10th round stoppage of Britain's Ricky Hatton in December 2007.

"Twenty-one months off, I think you're going to see a rust factor here," boxing historian Bert Sugar told Reuters before Friday's weigh-in. "How long is it going to take him to get back into the rhythm and groove of what he had?

"Twenty-one months out of anything, even riding a bicycle, is going to be a little bit of a setback.

"Juan Manual Marquez has no trouble with stamina," added the cigar-chomping Sugar, a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. "He sometimes finishes at a greater pace than he started."

Mayweather, who has an unblemished career record of 39-0 with 25 knockouts, believes he has benefited from his lengthy stint away from competition.

"I feel fast, I'm strong and my timing is there," the 32-year-old told reporters in the build-up to his eagerly anticipated return. "I've been in the gym every day and we're looking good.

"I feel the same way I felt before I left, actually a little bit better. I think the break helped because I haven't had a break since '87. My body got the chance to heal."

NO UNDERESTMATING

Renowned for his superb defense, lightning speed and brash talking, Mayweather has been careful not to underestimate Marquez, a five times world champion.

"I have a lot of respect for Marquez," he said. "To go down as a legend, you have to face the best in your era and Marquez is one of the best in my era.

"He's one hell of a fighter with over 50 wins and champion in more than just one weight class. Believe me, Marquez is not going to lay down."

Although the Mexican will be moving up two weight classes to challenge Mayweather, he is confident the brutal fitness regime he has followed over the last four months will pay off.

"I have trained very hard on my strength and my muscles," said Marquez, who has a 50-4-1 record with 37 knockouts. "I know people are betting against me, but it doesn't matter to me.

"I have my mind and I have my concentration, and I have the motivation to win. This fight is the most important of my career."

Boxing great Oscar De La Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions company handles Marquez, believes the Mexican's counter-punching skills will pave the way for an upset victory.

"I just have this feeling that Marquez is going to pull this one off," De La Hoya, a 10-time world champion and arguably the biggest name in contemporary boxing, said.

"He's looking sharp, he's looking fast and he's looking strong. I'm convinced he will win this fight.

"Marquez has an excellent jab and he is going to use triple, quadruple jabs. He's a smart fighter, and it's a matter of throwing those jabs and feigning those jabs. This is the fight of his life... and he knows it."

(Editing by Ken Ferris)