Marquez to fight David Diaz first and then Pacquiao

By Boxing News - 05/19/2011 - Comments

Image: Marquez to fight David Diaz first and then PacquiaoBy Gerardo Granados: The fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez is almost a done deal. Marquez has already signed the contract and agreed to a 144 pound catchweight. A date has been set, November 12th, but Marquez will be facing Diaz first in July. If Diaz pulls off an upset or injures Marquez, then he would become another candidate for the upset of the year and will ruin the plans for the third bout between Marquez and Pacquiao.

In theory, Marquez is far superior to Diaz, who is no longer in his prime and has only fought one fight in 2009, defeating Jesus Chavez by a 10 round majority decision and twice in 2010, losing to Humberto Soto a 12 round decision. And last January, Marquez defeated Robert Frankel by a 10 round majority decision.

Diaz / southpaw / will be 35 years-old by the date of the fight / height 5´6”, reach 69”, (T40-W36(17)-L3(2)-D1), former WBC lightweight champion, defeated Erik Morales by UD12 to gain the title, but then lost it to Manny Pacquiao by TKO 9. Diaz is the supposed victim; He was never a boxing star and might have started to decline. In theory, he was picked as a tune up fight because he is and easy opponent for the veteran Marquez who will be fighting in his hometown that rises 7217 feet above the sea level.

This is a risky fight for Juan Manuel. If he gets cut by a headbutt, elbow hit or simply by a good solid hit then he might have to postpone or cancel his fight with Manny. Marquez eyebrows are not fragile but after 18 years or punishment, there is no guarantee.

Some sports journalists and writers will compare the result of the performance of Marquez to the beating that Manny gave to Diaz but it will be irrelevant after all. Diaz better get the respect that he deserves by himself and demonstrate he is not an easy tune up for anybody. He has nothing to lose so he beter get ready to upset Marquez next June 2nd in Mexico City.

Diaz will lose and Marquez will stop him before the 7th round but after have seen Orlando Salido, Jorge Arce and Marco Antonio Rubio upset the odds. Well, we better wait untill the fight ends.

Good luck for both warriors, the boxing fans are expecting a great fight so you better not disappoint them. Let’s engage!



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