Juan Manuel Marquez Mendez (born August 23, 1973, in Mexico City) is a Mexican professional boxer and the current world WBC Super Featherweight champion. He is a former champion at IBF/WBA Featherweight (126 lb) division.On March 17, 2007, Marquez became the WBC Super Featherweight champion by defeating Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas by unanimous decision. Marquez's first defense of his title were to be held on September 15, 2007 against Argentinian boxer Jorge Rodrigo Barrios. However, Barrios withdrew from the bout due to injury, prompting American boxer Rocky Juarez to challenge Márquez for the title in November 3, 2007 in a losing effort.
It was announced on the 29 November 2007 that Juan Manuel Marquez will defend his hard-won belt on 15 March 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino against his old nemesis, Manny Pacquiao whom he fought to a draw in 2004. Pacquiao, from Manilla in the Philippines is rated as one of the top pound for pound fighters in the world.