Marquez too strong for Diaz

The last time these two met  in February 2009 in a bout named fight of the year, Diaz was well on top in the early stages, but this time it was far more even as Marquez showed his authority and experience in the early rounds.

Diaz appeared to be conserving energy, wary of a repeat of the knockout he suffered last year, but that also made him less effective and allowed Marquez to take command for large periods.

Marquez stamped his authority on the fight in the fourth round as Diaz struggled to find an answer to his power.

A big combination in round six had Diaz step back. Marquez started to then show his authority on his younger opponent.

He came storming back in the last three rounds against his older opponent, but to no avail on the scorecards as the more experienced Marquez held on .

"The first one was difficult, it was a war for both," Marquez told Sky Sports. "This was more technical but I managed to come out on top.

"He's a great fighter. He knows some technique. But tonight the technique was in our favour."

Marquez has been linked with a fight against Amir Khan, who watched on from ringside, but the Mexican instead targeted a third fight with Manny Pacquiao. The Mexican drew with the Filipino in 2004 and suffered a narrow defeat four years later.

"The trilogy with Pacquiao is what I want," said Marquez, 51-5-1, (37 KOs). "Everybody wants to see it. It's good for all fight fans, for the Mexicans, the Filipinos. Everyone wants to see it. That's the most important fight for me now."