MARQUEZ CALLS ON MAYWEATHER TO LURE PACQUIAO
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 03 Mar 2009
Juan Manuel Marquez stopped IBO champion and former WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight champion Juan Diaz by knockout.
After the fight Marquez expressed interest in fighting Floyd Mayweather, Jr. "If Floyd Mayweather is the best, then I want to fight the best," Marquez said of the retired boxer. "I want to move up. He is the best and I want him."
Diaz was aggressive and was in control early in the bout as the two warriors exchanged punches rapidly. There were no lulls in action as they threw hard and quick fists at each other.
Diaz's punch opened a cut above Marquez's right eye in the fifth round and looked like the elder Marquez was disturbed by it. But "Dinamita" retaliated by gashing above Diaz's right eye and unleashing a powerful left hook before the end of the eighth round.
Marquez planted two solid rights to Diaz's face in a three-punch combination that sent Diaz falling to the canvas with 35 seconds remaining in the ninth round. Diaz rose, but Marquez did not waste precious seconds in following up with a right uppercut to the chin that knocked him down again.
Referee Rafael Ramos stopped the fight 2:40 of the ninth round. With the victory, Marquez defended his Ring lightweight title and claimed the WBO, and WBA lightweight championships, as well as the minor IBO championship.
It was a classic fight. When the bout was stopped, Marquez led 77-75 on one judge, Diaz led 77-75 on another and the third judge had it even 76-76.
Marquez has suffered many frustrations in his boxing career. Naseem Hamed refused to face him when the Prince was at the top of the featherweight division. Marquez was not able to fight the two great Mexican fighters Erik Morales or Marco Antonio Barrera in their prime, although he defeated Barrera later in his fading career.
He suffered a controversial draw against Manny Pacquiao in their first encounter and then lost a split decision in the rematch. Marquez went to Chris John's home country of Indonesia for a featherweight title bout and lost in a controversial hometown decision.
Marquez is still going strong at 35. He is a warrior. Even when he goes down or wobble, he could recover easily. He got off the canvas three times in the first round and rallied against Pacquiao.
Marquez has all the right to look forward to fighting Mayweather after such a sensational knockout in his own opponent's hometown. But deep in his heart we all know, Marquez calls on Pretty Boy "the best" because he still wants a third fight with Pacquiao.
He will use Mayweather as a stepping stone to facing his archrival once again. He wants to challenge Pacquiao to settle the controversial two fights he had with the top Filipino boxing icon.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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