Juan Manuel Marquez surprisingly snubbed Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao when naming his his toughest opponent.
Marquez was a real icon of the sport for a 21-year spell from 1993 to 2014, winning world titles in four weight divisions.
His incredible fast hands and technical ability made him a real handful for the leading contenders of the era, against whom he never turned down a challenge.
In some of the most famous nights of his career, Marquez fought a fellow legend in Pacquiao on four occasions.
He also took on the never defeated and sensational Mayweather in an epic bout, the highest calibre of opponent in the sweet science.
But it was Juan Diaz, who he stopped in 2009 before outpointing him in their rematch one year later, who he gave the ultimate praise.
“Juan Diaz,” he told The Ring in 2016 when asked who was his most skilful opponent.
“Juan has a lot of speed. He was aggressive and elusive.
“On the other hand, Joel [Casamayor] was great with the distance, and he was a brilliant fighter.”
Marquez fought Diaz in an epic battle which was named 2009 Fight Of The Year, as he recovered from a cut to floor his rival with an uppercut to close the show.
His rival felt he could get the job done against an ageing Marquez in a later sequel, but experience paid off as he won for a second time.
But his most notorious rivalry was against Pacquiao whom he fought four times in his career.
AFPMarquez says he struggled to deal with Diaz’s skill the most[/caption]
In their first meeting in 2004, Marquez was dropped three times by Pacquiao in the first round but the bout was scored as a contentious draw.
The Filipino finally got his hand raised as the pair were forced to wait four years for their 2008 rematch by another tight points decision.
Marquez then came up against talented star Mayweather in 2009, but was dropped and beaten against one of the greatest to have ever laced up the gloves.
Focus then came back on his feud with Pacquiao as the pair met in a trilogy, which Marquez lost again by split decision at a 144lbs catchweight.
Incredibly it wasn’t over for the familiar foes, as they met for a fourth and final time towards the latter stages of Marquez’s career.
This fight had a huge billing as ‘Fight of The Decade’ given their incredible history.
But the moment it delivered sent shockwaves through the sport as Marquez put an end to a dominant run from his fellow champion.
He flattened the skilful talent with one huge punch, which put Pacquiao out cold and face down on the canvas.
The moment received huge accolades and was considered the most iconic feat of the Mexican’s career.
And he went on to name Pacquiao as the hardest puncher he faced.
He added: “In all the fights I had, nobody hit me harder than him.
“He took a good shot and he always returned stronger. He is great at closing his defence, he has a good guard and it is very hard to land [a punch].
“After four fights with him, I was able to know him better. I also learned his mistakes.
“When he fought, he moved his hips a lot. Then I analysed that all his power came from there, in the hips.
“I understood that he couldn’t do his power moves and he would have problems if I used speed so I started fighting different.
“Without doubt, the best pound-for-pound of his time and I faced him at his best.”
