Diaz-Marquez: Both Fighters Have A Lot To Lose

By Boxing News - 02/17/2009 - Comments

marquez67567671By Manuel Perez: Lightweight Juan Diaz (34-1, 17 KOs) and Juan Manuel Marquez (49-4-1, 36 KOs) meet in one of the biggest fights of 2009 on February 28th at the Toyota Center, Houston, Texas. There’s nothing on the line aside from the little known IBO lightweight title belonging to Diaz, and the pride and reputation for both fighters.

Each of them were beaten in 2008, but in the case of Marquez, he got robbed back time in losing a 12-round split decision to Manny Pacquiao in March. Getting the business isn’t a new experience for Marquez, unfortunately, as he was defeated by Indonesian featherweight Chris John by a 12-round unanimous decision in March 2006.

Both fighters have a lot to lose if they suffer another defeat. Getting beaten now would diminish the marketability of the loser and put them in situation where they would be looking at making less money in the future.

Marquez, 35, has held titles in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions in his 16 year pro career. He moved up in weight to the lightweight division in September 2008, beating Joel Casamayor by an 11th round TKO. Marquez, most of all, wants a rematch with Pacquiao, which is the main reason that Marquez moved up in weight. Even if Marquez keeps winning, he may not get a rematch with Pacquiao, because Manny seems reluctant to fight him again and has been looking for easier game in Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

Diaz, 25, lost his WBA/WBO lightweight titles in a 12-round split decision loss to Nate Campbell in March 2008. Diaz was doing well in the fight until 6th when he was cut over his left eye after getting hit with an uppercut from Campbell. From then on, Diaz fought with less energy, as if afraid to take additional punishment on his cut eye.

Diaz defeated Michael Katsidis by a 12-round split decision in September. The fight looked hardly close as Diaz dominated a cautious looking Katsidis from start to finish and had not problems with him.

Marquez last fought on September 13th, in his 11th round TKO victory over Casamayor. The fight was a very tough one for Marquez, who looked much less stronger at the 135 pound lightweight class than he did while fighting as a super featherweight (130 pounds). Marquez fought well but was hit often by counter punches from Casamayor.

If I were to pick a winner in this fight, I suppose it would be Marquez. He may be older but he’s more skillful and experience than the 25-year-old Diaz. However, unless Marquez is strong enough and durable enough to trade shots with Diaz at close range, we might be seeing a Diaz victory. Campbell was able to beat Diaz by hitting him hard and staying on top of him. That’s not a style that Marquez is well suited to. He does have power, but he doesn’t like to stand in close and trade shots the way that Campbell can do when he wants to.



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