Can Mayweather make a winning return to set up a big money showdown with Manny Pacquiao?

Floyd Mayweather is the odds-on favourite to beat Juan Manuel Marquez when the two clash on Saturday, September 19.

The fight, Mayweather's first after retiring from boxing for eighteen months, is being seen as a warm-up for 'Money' ahead of a potential money-spinning showdown with Manny Pacquiao.

But for that bout to happen, Mayweather has to first beat Marquez.

Currently best priced 1/4 with Paddy Power and William Hill, its clear that bookmakers believe Mayweather will beat his opponent, who himself is a best price 10/3 with Ladbrokes.

But while Mayweather may well be the better fighter - and if he had been retired for the past year and a half - his odds-on price may be too short for some punters.

There is more value to be had in the Method of Victory market, with Mayweather available at 5/2 with Boylesports to win via KO, TKO or disqualification.

It is clear that the bookmakers think this fight will go the distance, with Ladbrokes 4/7 on a points outcome, but our prediction is for the fight to be won in the later rounds.

bet365 and Blue Square both offer 9/4 on the fight going under 9.5 rounds and that may well be worth a punt.

As for backing Marquez, 10/3 on him winning the bout may be of interest to some but should Mayweather not show any signs of ring rust, he really should win and has the track record to justify being odds-on.

Marquez is a whopping 100/1 with William Hill to win in the first round, but while those odds may seem generous, realistically, his chances of winning will come later in the fight.

Mayweather's time away from the ring could lead to stamina issues later in the fight, and Marquez stands a better chance of winning in the latter rounds.

The Mexican is 80/1 with William Hill to win in round two and available 66/1 with the same firm to win in round three. Hill's offer the same price on Marquez winning in rounds 4-10, with 80/1 on a win in the penultimate round and 100/1 on him beating Mayweather in the final round.

Mayweather, on the other hand, is 50/1 with Sky Bet to make a winning return in the opening round and 40/1 with the same firm to win in round two, while Boylesports offer 25/1 on the American winning the bout in rounds 3-12.

At 25/1, backing Mayweather to win in rounds 8-10 may well result in a profitable return, while Sky Bet's 13/8 on Marquez being knocked down at any stage of the fight also looks tasty.