MANILA - Mexican boxing champion Juan Manuel Marquez has vowed to hand unbeaten and former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, Jr. the first loss of his career.

Marquez, considered the underdog in the “Number One vs Numero Uno” match, said he will do the unexpected by proving his detractors wrong.

“These are the kind of fights that motivate me,'' Marquez said in a report by the MiamiHerald.com. “I'm going to prove everybody wrong.''

Odds-makers favor Mayweather to win owing to his unblemished record of 39-0 with 25 knockouts.

Marquez, on the other hand, has compiled a 50-4-1 with 37 KOs. One of his losses came from Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao, the reigning pound-for-pound champion.

“In my mind, Floyd Mayweather is the number one pound-for-pound fighter, and to be number one, you have to fight number one,'' said Marquez.

“I know people are betting against me, but it doesn't matter to me,'' said the Mexican.

Weight differences

The bout was scheduled to be at a catch weight of 144. However, Mayweather came in at 146 while Marquez weighed in at 142.

The excess weight of 2 pounds has reportedly cost Mayweather a $600,000 penalty. The American boxer may even come out 6 to 7 pounds heavier on fight night, giving him a big advantage in terms of size against Marquez.

But Marquez was unfazed.

“This fight is a different weight for me,'' Marquez said. “I worked very hard. I built up my speed and my strength.''

Marquez, known for his counter-punching skills, said he plans to pressure the American boxer. By doing so, he said he will mark the first loss on Mayweather’s record.

Mayweather, however, said it probably will not work.

“There is no blueprint to beat me,'' Mayweather said. “There is a blueprint to beat Marquez because he has been beaten before.''

“Number One vs Numero Uno: Mayweather-Marquez” will be aired in the Philippines by ABS-CBN starting 10 a.m. on Channel 2.

Included in the undercard are:

• featherweight match between Orlando Cruz and Cornelius Lock;
• lightweight bout between Michael Katsidis and Vicente Escobedo; and,
• WBA featherweight championship match between title holder Chris John and Rocky Juarez.