Mayweather Jr to fight for the first time since downing Ricky Hatton in December 2007

Floyd Mayweather Jr will come out of retirement to fight Mexico's five-time world champion Juan Manuel Marquez this July.

"I'm ready to return to boxing and give people another dose of the Mayweather experience," said the 32-year-old.

"When it comes to fight time, I'll be ready physically and mentally. I just want to be the best that I can be."

Mayweather was speaking at the MGM Grand Hotel prior to Ricky Hatton's second-round KO defeat to Manny Pacquiao.

He will take on Marquez in a non-title welterweight fight on July 18 at the same venue.

"I left on top and I came back on top," said Mayweather, who has not fought since his 10th round stoppage of Britain's Ricky Hatton in a WBC welterweight title bout in December 2007. "I'm here to fight and reclaim what is mine.

"When I made my decision to retire last year, I felt like it was time for me to go as I had been boxing my whole life and felt like I had done all that I could do.

"But after I had time to rest, enjoy life with my family and friends, I started to miss the competition and my fans."

Marquez, who in February stopped American Juan Diaz in the ninth round for the IBO lightweight title along with the vacant WBA and WBO crowns, said: "I want to thank Mayweather for giving me the opportunity to fight with him.

"To be the best fighter you need the best fight, and this fight is for who is the best number one right now."

The winner of the fight will likely next face Manny Pacquiao following the Filipino's awesome second-round win over Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas on Saturday night.