By Zubair Ali: In a clash of the titans, undisputed lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) takes on 5 weight world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr (39-0, 25 KO’s) at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 19th. Mayweather, who is returning from his self imposed exile from the sport, will be looking to regain the title of best pound for pound fighter in the world, which he relinquished to Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KO’s) when he retired.
Marquez, who won the WBO and WBA lightweight titles when he stopped Juan Diaz, will once again be moving up in weight for this fight. Having already won world titles at Featherweight, Super Featherweight and Lightweight, he will be fighting Mayweather at a career high weight somewhere in the region of 143-147lbs.
Having only recently moved up to and fought at Lightweight twice, many see the natural size disadvantage as too big of a barrier for Marquez and believe the result is a foregone conclusion. Many also expect Mayweather, an Olympic bronze medallist, to be far too fast, slick and powerful for the great Mexican.
Marquez is seen as a mere stepping stone for a potentially mouth watering clash between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, although Pacquiao has now secured a bout with WBO Welterweight champion Miguel Cotto. Marquez too, however, will be looking to secure a third clash with the Filipino, as he feels he’s been harshly dealt with by the judges on the two previous occasions they have met.
There first fight, in 2004, was hugely controversial. Marquez hit the deck 3 times in the opening round but won a large majority of the rounds that followed. The fight went the distance with the judges scoring the bout 115-110 Pacquiao, 110-115 Marquez, and 113-113, a draw.
They contested a rematch four years later with the result of this encounter equally as controversial as there first. This too went the full 12 rounds with the judges scoring a split decision for Pacquiao. Most boxing experts believe Marquez won the fight. I believe he won both fights. Although this fight is seen as a warm up for Mayweather, I believe it is a potential banana skin.
Juan Manuel Marquez is an extremely under estimated fighter. He holds impressive wins over the likes of Agapito Sanchez, Robbie Peden, Manuel Medina, Derrick Gainer, Rocky Juarez, Joel Casamayor and the great Marco Antonio Barrera. He was the mandatory challenger to Naseem Hamed’s WBO Featherweight title for 2 years, but was never given the opportunity to fight for the belt.
Struggling to land big fights, Marquez travelled to Indonesia to fight Chris John in his home country. Marquez lost by a controversial unanimous decision. Then came Marquez’s big opportunity to catapult himself onto the big stage. It was announced he would be challenging fellow countryman Marco Antonio Barrera for his WBC Super Featherweight title. Marquez beat Barrera by unanimous decision and paved the way for more high profile bouts.
The newly crowned champion then made a successful first defence of his title against Rocky Juarez. Then came the rematch with Pacquiao. After losing his title, Marquez decided to move up in weight to take on tough Cuban Joel Casamayor. Marquez became the first man to stop Casamayor, scoring an 11th round TKO. Next up was former undisputed lightweight champion Juan Diaz.
The winner would be crowned the undisputed lightweight champion and the number 1 fighter in the lightweight division. In a thrilling and pulsating contest, Marquez became the first man to stop Diaz and inflicted only the second defeat of his career via a 9th round stoppage. Mayweather’s career on the other hand, has consisted of nothing but big fights.
He is a 6 times, 5 weight world champion, and won his first world title in the super featherweight division at the age of 21. The most notable names on his list of victims include Angel Manfredy, Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Arturo Gatti, Sharmba Mitchell, Zab Judah, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. He was last seen in the ring back in 2007, when taking apart Ricky Hatton in 10 rounds.
At 32 years of age, this prolonged absence from the ring may have a detrimental affect on Mayweather, and ring rust could prove to be a vital factor. Another key factor may be the rib injury Mayweather suffered during training for this fight. The original date for the bout was July 18th but had to be postponed due to Mayweather’s injury.
Only time will tell if the injury has been given enough time to fully heal. The way in which Marquez’s body responds to the extra weight will also be a vital issue. He revealed he has been lifting heavy rocks at high altitudes in order to build strength and is looking to build all round muscle without losing his speed. Fighting at a higher weight may benefit Marquez.
We have seen the effect it has had on Manny Pacquiao. Winning his first world title at Flyweight, Pacquiao is now campaigning at Light Welterweight. The 5 weight world champion looks as strong and fast as ever at his new found weight, and has disproved the notion ‘a good big un will always beat a good little un’. I don’t think Marquez needs to weigh in at the full limit.
Trying to make use of every pound permitted may add unnecessary muscle slowing Marquez down. The way in which Marquez starts will go along way in determining the outcome of this fight. Keeping in mind Mayweather’s inactiveness, I think Marquez should jump on him as soon as the opening bell sounds. He should look to pressure Mayweather, working every combination off the jab.
I believe he should also look to go downstairs whenever possible, whipping in hurtful body punches, testing whether Mayweather’s rib has fully recovered. Many expected Mayweather to ease his way back into the sport, and expected him to pick a low profile opponent for his first fight back.
Instead, he’s chosen a man considered to be the second best pound for pound fighter on the planet. Marquez is a ferocious, relentless, fearless warrior with heart in abundance. His never say die attitude makes him a match for anyone on his day.
Although Mayweather is considerably bigger and is more natural at the weight, if Marquez can set the tempo early, assert his jab and target Mayweather’s body, I believe he could spring a huge upset.
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