Marquez (144.5) and Bradley (146) Make Weight

Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley made weight on Friday late afternoon in Las Vegas, ahead of their Saturday clash, which will run on HBO PPV.

That bout will unfold at the Thomas and Mack Center, with the winner being a natural fit to meet Manny Pacquiao, should the Pacman get past Brandon Rios on Nov. 23 in Macau.

Marquez (ex feather, super feather, lightweight and super lightweight champ), age 40, was 144 1/2 pounds. The Californian Bradley (ex 140 champ; age 30), boxing's reigning vegan (and WBO 147 pound) champion, was a ripped and seemingly ready 146 pounds. Check out those physiques, in this photo by Chris Farina-Top Rank. He's been insisting he won't quit until he's boxing top dog, pound for pound.

Marquez, to Max Kellerman, said that he prepared well for this scrap. What if Bradley wants to be elusive and not pursue? JMM said he's prepared for anything, and sparred against three different styles. Bradley then talked to Max. “Doubt me, baby, I love it,” he said, when Marquez fans booed him. Bradley said he's calm, and poised, and enjoying the buildup. And will Bradley rumble or fight smart and use elusivity? He said he's there to entertain, and will go for a KO if it presents itself.

Bob Arum spoke to Top Rank's Crystina Poncher. He said that many are saying this could be fight of the year. “This is really gonna be a classic. I can't wait for the bell to ring,” he said. Arum called the undercard “fantastic,”and then plugged the Pacman-Rios PPV. He will watch Rios in Oxnard, and then Manny in Macau.

The vacant WBO featherweight crown is up for grabs tomorrow. Out and proud Orlando Cruz, of Puerto Rico, was 125 pounds, takes on Mexico's Orlando Salido, 126 pounds.

Cruz' rainbow undies drew appreciative hoots. Miguel Cotto was there for support.

Other pertinent numbers:

Vasyl Lomachenko: 125 lbs.

vs.

Jose Luis Ramirez: 126.5 lbs.

Seanie Monaghan: 174 lbs.

vs.

Anthony Caputo-Smith: 175.5 lbs.

Check back to TSS for coverage of the bouts, and the post-bout analysis.

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