Mexican is the favourite but punters should shop around for value
Juan Manuel Marquez is odds-on to win this month's much-hyped rematch with Juan Diaz but bookmakers are divided in just how much of a favourite the Mexican is for their July 31 bout in Las Vegas.
Marquez secured a brutal ninth-round success when the pair met in Diaz's home city of Houston just under 18 months ago - a clash which was named 2009 Fight of the Year by both Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Both fighters have suffered mixed fortunes since that night, but their second tussle at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino is undoubtedly this summer's most eagerly awaited match-up.
Marquez saw his record slip to 50-5-1 when outpointed by Floyd Mayweather last September but insists he will return to winning ways when defending his WBO and WBA lightweight titles here.
"I am going to forget our first fight," said the 36-year-old. "It is like it never happened. I am going in as if this were our first meeting.
"A lot of people are asking me why Juan Diaz again? There are two reasons. Number one, he is a great fighter and deserves a rematch. Number two, the people deserve a great fight like this.
"Our fight was the fight of the year in 2009 and it may be the fight of the year again in 2010. You are all going to see two warriors who will give everything they have and leave everything in the ring.
"We Mexicans are always ready to die in the ring. I have already shown that age is not an issue with me. I prepare well and I am ready to show everyone what I can do."
Diaz has since fought twice against Paul Malignaggi, winning the first clash on points last August before the decision went against him four months later.
"I see this as redemption," declared the 26-year-old American. "Redemption for what I was going to accomplish in 2009. I am going to pick up in the ninth round. I left off in the ninth round last time, and I am going to pick it up from there.
"I have been hitting the gym hard strengthening my body and I am going the full nine yards to give myself the best opportunity that I can.
"I want to say to all the naysayers who say my destiny has been written, I am going to show them that I can become the undisputed lightweight world champion one more time."
Marquez is as short as 2/9 with bet365 to come out on top again this time, with Diaz rated a 3/1 underdog to gain revenge with the Midlands firm.
However, Stan James have this contest priced up to be much closer, with Marquez 4/11 there and Diaz just 2/1 to spring a surprise.
Meanwhile, sportingbet are offering 19/20 that the second bout will go the full 12 rounds and 3/4 for either fighter to prevail inside the distance.
Marquez is 11/8 at best with Boylesports to claim another stoppage success and 2/1 to prevail on points, while Diaz is 17/2 at bet365 to get the job done early and 9/2 to oblige via the judges' scorecards.
