LAS VEGAS – Juan Diaz said he trained for his much- anticipated rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez as if every round in sparring was the 12th one of the fight.

But sometimes in boxing, it’s the rounds leading up to the final one that get you in trouble.

Diaz, for the most part, fought well and stuck to his game plan of jabbing and staying out of harm’s way. But the Houston native could not match Marquez’s edge in talent and experience, allowing the Mexican to successfully defend his Ring Magazine, WBA and WBO lightweight titles with a unanimous 12-round decision in front of a raucous crowd of 8,383 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

• Full Story