LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) — Mexican veteran Juan Manuel Marquez defends his lightweight title on Saturday against American Juan Diaz in a rematch of their title slugfest from last year that brought Marquez two titles.

Marquez knocked out Diaz in the ninth round in February of last year to retain the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization lightweight crowns that will again be at stake on Saturday.

“This fight is going to be better than the first one because Juan Diaz is a great fighter and a great warrior and I am too,” Marquez said.

“I like to fight. Everyone who knows me knows I like landing so many punches. I've prepared very hard and I'm ready."

Marquez, 36, is a 3-1 betting favorite to defeat Diaz, 26, once again.

But Diaz, 35-3 with 17 knockouts, says the time has come for Marquez, 50-5 with one drawn and 37 knockouts, to be replaced.

“It is time for the new generation to step up and reign over the lightweight division,” Diaz said. “It just makes sense that I am going to win this fight and I am going to keep winning from now on.”

Since losing to Marquez in his hometown, Diaz split two fights against countryman Paul Malignaggi, winning a unanimous decision last August but losing by unanimous decision four months later.

“We went back to the drawing board and tweaked a few things that Marquez capitalized on in the first fight,” said Diaz's trainer, Ronnie Shields.

That has put Diaz in solid form, according to his manager, Willie Savhannah.

“I've never seen him as in shape as he is for this fight. The public is going to see a boxing machine,” he said. “I'm telling you to go out and bet your house on Diaz.”