Boxing: Mike Alvarado Excited by Opportunity to Retire Juan Manuel Marquez

Mike Alvarado vowed to seize the opportunity given to him as he tries to score a big win against Juan Manuel Marquez in their upcoming showdown on May 17 at The Forum in Los Angeles.

Alvarado is coming off a loss against Ruslan Provodnikov in their title showdown, which was his second loss in his last three fights.

The 33-year-old Denver, Colo., native admitted that he was surprised when he was picked to face Marquez, while also adding that he felt excited because he will have the opportunity to retire the Mexican boxing icon.

"When Top Rank called and offered a fight with Marquez I started jumping around -- I was so excited because I have the opportunity to get into the ring and retire a Mexican legend," Alvarado said, BoxingScene reported. "I am great under pressure and I am going to fight like the 'Old Mike' and use my power and my will to beat Marquez."

Alvarado lost his WBO light welterweight title to Provodnikov via technical knockout loss before the 11th round of their title showdown in October last year.

The former light welterweight champion admitted that he underestimated Provodnikov before their title showdown, and he vowed not to commit the same mistake again against his 40-year-old opponent, saying that he will train hard to score a convincing win against his more celebrated rival.

"I made a mistake of looking past Ruslan Provodnikov. He jumped on me and got me in a bad situation.  He had such an awkward style," Alvarado said. "The difference against Marquez will be my power.  I am going to train super hard for my biggest fight. I am very excited."

The winner of the upcoming Marquez-Alvarado showdown will get a shot at the WBO welterweight title that will be at stake in the rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley on April 12 at the MGM Grand.

Alvarado, who said that he is looking for redemption after his humiliating loss to Provodnikov, expressed excitement over the opportunity to face either Pacquiao or Bradley in his next fight if he beats Marquez.

"I am anxious too, to fight the winner of Pacquiao and Bradley," Alvarado said. "Bradley interests me a lot.  Pacquiao has made his mark in boxing. Bradley is undefeated.  This fight is my redemption to all of my fans.  I know how important this fight is. What a fight with such a reward - to fight the winner of Pacquiao vs Bradley."