By Mark Havey: For me the best of boxing combines valor with tenacious ferocity, incontestable pride with complete dedication. A fighting spirit that provides the closest possible throwback to a Roman gladiator. Others see it differently and are impressed by power, skill and showboating. Floyd Mayweather Jr is extremely skilful and I cannot deny his place in history.

I enjoy watching him but he doesn’t produce the kind of performance that puts me on the edge of my seat.

The kind of fight that draws me in is an all out battle where skill is forgotten and endurance and heart decide the outcome. It is all about the mentality over the ability. There is just one nationality that can guarantee all of this, Mexico. A boxing nation of warriors, Mexicans seem to have a different DNA. Or maybe there is something extra in their water such as testosterone. occasionally a boxer is criticized for being foolishly and dangerously courageous. One such example is Antonio Margarito when he faced Manny Pacquiao. Margarito took such a bad beating his right orbital bone had been fractured. Surgery had to be postponed for three days later as his face was too swollen to operate on. Brave or stupid? Either way I like to see a boxer fight as if his life depends on it.

The has been so many great Mexican fighters that I have enjoyed to watch over the years. Ricardo Lopez, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Michael Carbajal, Oscar De La Hoya, Jose Luis Castillo, Rafael Marquez, Israel Vazquez the list is endless. But for me there are two Mexican boxers that stand out, Julio Cesar Chavez is regarded as the greatest Mexican fighter ever his record proves just how good he was (107-6-2, KO’s 89). the second has to be Juan Manuel Marquez (54-6-1, KO’s 39). Marquez may seem like a strange choice as he is different to other Mexican fighters. He is a counter puncher for a start. But that’s part of the reason I like him so much. He has a skillful style incorporated into the classic tough style of his homeland. Although he has been beaten, he has never been stopped, despite facing Floyd Mayweather once and Pacquiao 3 times. And whenever there is a all Mexican bout, you can be sure you are in for a treat.