For sure, they just didn’t want to antagonize each other in public and are thinking of pouring out their enmity when they climb the ring to dispute the right on who should face next the business’ best boxer pound-for-pound Manny Pacquiao.

Or they only wanted to portray a clean image in a bid to win the hearts of boxing fans that never wavered from giving them admiration and support each time they saw action before the klieg lights of Las Vegas famous for its sports and entertainment.

But a lot of pundits were surprised when Mayweather (39-0, 25 KO’s), the unbeaten former Olympic silver medalist, praised the 35-year-old Mexican ring maestro calling him one of the most accomplished and best boxers in the world today.

Mayweather must be thinking he will benefit from the accolade once he will dispose of the best and most accomplished boxer I the world. And although he appeared to be both pleased and amused by the complimentary, Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KO’s) does not trust the Good Samaritan. His facial expression showed he was concealing a knife in his pocket and intends to unleash it on July 18.

Marquez, who is on a knockout roll, plans to add Mayweather in his list of stoppage victories while the iron is hot.  He wants to send a strong signal to Team Pacquiao that if he can rib the heavier and complicated Mayweather, he can easily toy with Pacquiao who had beaten him by split decision last year.

That defeat to Pacquiao was particularly painful for Marquez as he was convinced he won that fight despite hitting the deck for a quick knockdown in the third round. Since then, he has been salivating for a third meeting with the Filipino hero never mind if he had to labor hard in demolishing Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz—and possibly Mayweather. Vengeance is in his heart and it is directed at Pacquiao.

Mayweather, who stands in the way in Marquez’s revenge plot, is out to spoil the Pacquiao-Marquez trilogy. For his part, he needs to erase Marquez from the list in order to formalize a showdown with Pacquiao who is boxing’s hottest property today.

By not saying nasty things against Marquez in press conferences, Mayweather is sending a message that he is unfazed by the recent winning spree of Marquez and that his fearsome reputation doesn’t bother him, at all.

Mayweather intends to out-psych the dangerous Marquez by not showing his excitement normally seen in most boxers engaged in mega fights.

Fans should expect a thunder ball on July 18 as this can be a perfect gauge on how far both boxers have matured in terms of wear and tear. After all, despite their notoriety as outstanding prizefighters, they are still human who can experience the glory of victory and agony of defeat.

By Rey Fortaleza