Mayweather vs. Marquez

The long awaited, once delayed “Money” Mayweathervs Juan Manuel Marquez fight is this Saturday.  From what has been a relatively slow summer for boxing, a pugilistic drought to say the least, we can only hope this fight comes with what the fan craves.  The bout pits the American Undefeated (39-0) Mayweather vs Mexico’s “Numero Uno” Marquez in a catch-weight of 144 pounds.  Marquez is jumping up two weight classes to face, what he says, the best pound for pound fighter out there.  After he couldn’t land a third bout with the current pound for pound King, Manny Pacquiao, Marquez put Mayweather in his sights, and called him all the way out of retirement.  And out of retirement he came.

The man they call “Money” Mayweather, the brash, outspoken, arrogant, undefeated welterweight, who holds wins over a who’s who of boxing including Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Zab Judah, Carlos Baldomir, Arturo Gatti and Diego Corrales is hanging up his retirement slippers (for which he wore for less than two years) and lacing up the gloves for what boxing fans are hoping to be a war.  Some say he is fighting for the money (supposedly he owes the IRS and recently court documents show that he is being sued over a bad loan for an extravagant car) he says he is fighting because the fight is in him, and he wants to prove to be the best.  Does beating Marquez prove that though?  Well if you look at it this way,  Marquez fought Manny Pacquiao(the current number 1 pound for pound fighter out there) to a draw and a close split decision on official scorecards.  The majority that sat ringside and saw the fight live had Marquez winning both fights, handily.  Given that, a decisive win over Marquez would put “Money” Mayweather in the heat of a debate of who is the true Number 1 Pound for Pound Boxer.  A win would also put Mayweatheron a collision course with Manny Pacquiao (if he gets by Miguel Cotto, which is no pushover in his own right) and a huge payday.  A lot of people and blogs out there are saying Mayweather is picking on a smaller man by fighting Marquez, less they forget that it was Marquez who called out Mayweather.  It was Marquez putting the challenge out there on live T.V. for all to see.  The last person to actually do that, was Ricky Hatton and you can see what happened to him by clicking here—>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0bJJaqdHPg.   You can see the slickness of Mayweather and ring savvy.  Money Mayeatherhas the arm length, height, quickness, size, and youth on his side and he is the betting favorite going into the fight.  But he has been out of the ring for almost two years and if he has any ring rust, it will surely show in the first couple of rounds.  Especially against Juan Marquez, who has won his last two fights by devastating knockouts.

Marquez is the underdog.  A big underdog.  As a matter of fact, when the debate went up to a panel of 14 boxing writers, fighters and trainers the results came in13-1 for a Mayweather victory, either by late stoppage or unanimous decision.  But do not count him out.  Although he does give up the advantages aforementioned, he does contain a few intangibles, one being heart, and your either born with it, or not, and he emerged from the womb with heart in abundance.  He is also a ring technician, a master of in fight adjustments, a beautiful counter-puncher with pinpoint accuracy.  When things don’t seem to be going his way, he will land a counter punch to change the tides.  He is a Mexican-born boxer, fighting on Mexican Independence Day, he will be fighting for his country, his pride, his people behind him.  The weight of an entire country will be on his shoulders, and he promises not to disappoint. He is strong and has never been knocked out. He will be fighting 9 pounds heavier than he ever has.  The cards seemed stacked against him, but if you ask any Marquez fan, there seems to be something in the air.  Something motivating, pushing Marquez harder than he ever has.  He wants this win so bad, it has pushed into the realms of need, and when you need something, your body will do anything to achieve it.  From throwing boulders in the mountains of Mexico, to training endlessly, countless hours of watching video, blood, sweat, tears, hyperbaric chambers, urine.  Marquez is willing to do anything to gain the win, and you can never count that out.

Come Sept 19th a lot of questions will be answered, a boxing thirst will be quenched, a dream will be fulfilled.  The culmination of weeks of training, mental preparation, anticipation and excitement will finally collide.  A bell will sound.  A crowd will cheer.  Hearts will be thumping, and adrenaline will be running rampant.  The oasis will be in view.  As for predictions, Mayweather should win this fight.  Should.  Don’t be surprised if Marquez is the only one not surprised by the verdict.