Former world champion Juan Manuel Marquez believes Floyd Mayweather Jr. will prevail in his upcoming fight against Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night at MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Marquez, a four-division world champion, is familiar with both fighters. He lost to Mayweather in their non-title fight in September 2009 and fought Pacquiao four times, which include his sixth-round knockout victory in the fourth showdown in December 2012.

Marquez, who will watch the fight live on Saturday night, said that anything can happen on fight night. But if he will be asked to pick a winner, the Mexican boxing warrior said he will put his money on Mayweather.

"I think Mayweather will win," Marquez said via The Philippine Star. "We really don't know what will happen inside the ring. We might have surprises but I think Mayweather will win."

Marquez said both fighters will be in a tough dog fight in the Cinco de Mayo weekend showdown, but Pacquiao will have a more difficult night. The 41-year-old Mexican said that Mayweather's defense is too hard to break and he is expecting the reigning pound-for-pound king to fight smart by utilizing his leg movements and reach advantage.

"I want Manny Pacquiao to win this fight. My heart is for Pacquiao as a boxer," Marquez said. "But I think Mayweather will win because of his style, his defense. Everybody knows Mayweather."

Marquez quickly clarified, though, that he will not be surprised if Pacquiao will be able to find ways to win against Mayweather. The Mexican boxing star also played down notions that Pacquiao will be tentative on fight night because of fears he might suffer another knockout loss.

Marquez is convinced Pacquiao is not bothered by the knockout in their fourth fight anymore and that the former pound-for-pound king will come 100 percent prepared against Mayweather.

"Pacquiao has prepared himself very well mentally for this fight," Marquez said. "I don't think it affected his punch when I knocked him out. Mayweather has a difficult style, a great defense. He wants to use his defense in the ring. Mayweather has the perfect style to win this fight. But if Pacquiao wins this fight, it's better for me."

Mayweather, who holds a perfect 47-0 record, will put his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association welterweight title at stake, while Pacquiao will defend his World Boxing Organization welterweight title belt in the highly anticipated showdown on Saturday.

For the latest sports news, follow Latin Post Sports on Twitter.

FOR MORE BOXING NEWS UPDATES, CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VISIT LATIN POST.COM'S SPORTS PAGE.

Related