MAYWEATHER IN TOUGH WITH MARQUEZ!
By Jason Aniel
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 31 May 2009
San Francisco, CA?Floyd ?Money? Mayweather makes his return to the boxing world on July 18 when he takes one of the best fighters, pound for pound, Juan Manuel Marquez. Mayweather, 39-0 (25 KOs), last fought in December of 2007, when he impressively stopped Ricky Hatton in 10 rounds. Marquez, 50-4-1 (37 KOs), came off his most exciting victory of his career when he knocked out Juan Diaz last February.
Both Mayweather and Marquez have been at the top of their games for over a decade now. While this match-up seemed to come out of thin air, it?s a good one between the two best pure boxers today. Marquez called out Mayweather after his victory over Diaz. Mayweather was looking for the biggest fight he can make coming off the layoff. With an eye towards a Manny Pacquiao fight, Mayweather saw Marquez as a good promotional storyline against Pacquiao should that fight ever take place. Marquez claims to have won both his fights against Pacquiao. Marquez came back from three first round knockdowns to score a draw in 2004 and lost by one point in a rematch in 2008.
Mayweather has never been beaten and Marquez has never been convincingly defeated. Marquez?s first lost was by disqualification in his professional debut. Marquez also lost a controversial decision to Freddie Norwood in 1999, which was on the undercard of Mayweather?s fight against Carlos Gerena at 130lbs. Marquez was on the short end of a hometown decision against Chris John. Last year, Marquez lost a decision by a single point to Pacquiao.
The bout will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be televised on HBO PPV. HBO will also feature both fighters in the next installment of the reality series 24/7. To many that will either travel to Las Vegas or buy the PPV are interested in seeing how Mayweather performs after the long layoff. Personally, while the fight doesn?t look like a Morales-Barrera war, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top between these two master boxers.
Most oddsmakers have enlisted Mayweather as the 4-1 favorite to beat Marquez. In 2008, De La Hoya opened as a 2-1 favorite over Pacquiao, which was also a battle between a welterweight and a lightweight. Although Marquez?s loss to Chris John was questionable at best, he has had problems with fellow counter punchers. Manny Pacquiao?s was most effective in his second fight with Marquez when he caught Marquez on the front foot. The knockdown in the 3rd round was a counter left hand as Marquez came forward. Against Mayweather, Marquez may not have a choice but to come forward, which plays to Mayweather?s strengths than weaknesses.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jason Aniel.
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