By Rene Umanzor

According to former four division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez, it's going to be very tough for Manny Pacquiao to defeat Floyd Mayweather Jr. in his hometown of Las Vegas.  

Marquez faced Mayweather in 2009 and lost a lopsided twelve round unanimous decision. The Mexican veteran fought Pacquiao four times - in 2004, 2008, 2011 and 2012. Their fourth and final battle saw Marquez score an explosive knockout of Pacquiao in the sixth round.

Marquez often complained of Pacquiao getting favoritism in Las Vegas and sees the same thing happening to the Filipino boxer if he steps in the ring with Mayweather.

"It is very difficult to penetrate the guard of Mayweather, but with the speed that Pacquiao has - he can do it. The coin is in the air, but I know both of those fighters and it is difficult to be able to beat Floyd Mayweather, and even more so because he is a protected fighter in Las Vegas," Marquez said.

Rene Umanzor covers boxing in Mexico for The Record.