FIGHT WEEK BLOG: MAYWEATHER LOOKS TO BE SHARP AS EVER AFTER 21-MONTH LAYOFF

LAS VEGAS - A layoff, in this sluggish economy, is something that many Americans fear. But in the world of big-time boxing, and specifically with regard to unbeaten welterweight Floyd "Money" Mayweather, a layoff might actually turn out to be in his favor.

September 16, 2009 - by Chuck Johnson | Photos by Will Hart

Mayweather, who last fought December 7, 2007 when he knocked out Ricky Hatton in the 10th round to deal the British brawler his first defeat, predicts he'll be none the worse for wear -- and possibly better than ever -- Saturday night when he makes his celebrated return to the ring against upset-minded Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

"I'm looking sharp in the gym, I feel fast, I'm strong and my timing is there,'' Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) said Wednesday at the final press conference before the 12-round welterweight bout on HBO Pay-Per-View ($49.95).

"I feel the same way as I felt before I left. Actually, I feel a little bit better. I think the break actually helped because I haven't taken off since '87. I think my body got a chance to heal and I just grew mentally as a person. I feel good."

Billed as Number One-Numero Uno -- a reference to Mayweather's standing in the world as a unbeaten six-time champion in five weight divisions vs. Marquez's stature among active Mexican fighters as a five-time champion in three weight classes - Saturday's fight comes 21 months since Mayweather's last bout and is his longest span without a fight since he turned professional in 1996.

"I think Mayweather is going to come out with everything in the early rounds,'' Marquez said. "He's not going to wait. I know he's been working hard in the gym and I know he's very dedicated. It's going to be a great fight."

Marquez, 36, is four years older than Mayweather and is moving up from lightweight in the hopes of pulling off an upset that would elevate his stature to the the highest of heights.

"I don't want to be just number one in Mexico, I want to be number one in the world,'' he said.

Marquez freely acknowledges that, right now, Mayweather is the top pound-for-pound champion in the world. He dismisses those who give the No. 1 title to Manny Pacquiao, an opponent he has fought twice, getting a draw and losing a decision. Many, including Mayweather, assessed that Marquez did the most damage and should have gotten the decision in both fights against Pacquiao.

"He told me a long time ago that he respects my fight game, and I feel the same about his,'' Mayweather said of Marquez. "In the past, I've talked trash about other fighters. But he hasn't said anything negative about me, so I haven't said anything negative about him. They've got a good team on that side."

Mayweather is trained by his uncle Roger Mayweather and has put aside a long-time rift with his dad and former trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr., who has been a frequent visitor to his training camp for this fight.

He says his comeback from early retirement is not just a one-shot deal, but insists that a potential fight against Pacquiao, or any other opponent beyond Marquez, will be determined in consultation with his manager Al Haymon and adviser Leonard Ellerbe. "We take one step at a time. We take one fight at a time,'' he said. "We don't ever overlook a guy. But I should be around for awhile."

Mayweather is not the first boxing champion to make an impact after a long hiatus from the ring. Most notably, Muhammad Ali was barred from boxing from 1967-1970 but returned to regain the heavyweight title twice, in 1974 and 1978.

George Foreman retired in 1977 after losing to Jimmy Young, but a re-made Foreman began his comeback in 1987 and won the heavyweight title seven years later, at age 45, with a 10th-round KO of Michael Moorer in 1994.

Former welterweight champion Sugar Ray Leonard came back twice after two retina surgeries, spectacularly ending a two-year layoff in 1987 when he moved up in weight to defeat middleweight champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler on a 12-round split decision.

Most recently, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was in prison from 1991-1995 but regained heavyweight title belts in 1996 with victories against Frank Bruno and Bruce Sheldon.

"Fighters come back because they still have a lot of fights still left in them,'' says HBO boxing analyst and Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward. "They don't realize it. Many have been doing it since they were eight, nine, ten years old, and they miss it. Fighters like Floyd Mayweather and Muhammad Ali have a tremendous love for boxing which they don't realize until they walk away."

Steward predicts the layoff won't affect Mayweather because of the fighter's dedication to and love for the sport.

"I think Floyd's going to look spectacular on September 19,'' Steward said. "

Historically, guys of his caliber, crafty, skilled fighters, they come back good. Some guys, when they quit boxing, they are partying, but when Ali came back he was unbelievably sharp and looked splendid. The Leonard's, Ali's, I would put Floyd in that class, they never lost the love of the sport. They are different types of fighters that never left the sport spiritually or physically."