JMM-FLOYD WINNER AWAITS PAC-COTTO VICTOR
Brockton, MA– The clash between Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) and Floyd Mayweather Jr. (39-0, 25 KOs) is set to take place on September 19th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The quotations are there because of the numerous cancellations and postponements of fights recently, including this one. Until the ringing of the bell for the first round, I will remain cautiously optimistic.
MARQUEZ PROS:
1. Activity: His last fight was in February of this year, where he annihilated the once-beaten Juan Diaz in nine rounds.
2. Adversity: He has been in “gut check” situations before and has answered them in a positive way. Example: after being knocked down three times in the first and bleeding heavily from his nose he went on to earn an albeit controversial draw against Manny Pacquiao.
3. Resiliency and heart: Although he has lost four times (including a 1st round dq for a headbutt in his pro debut) and has been severely cut* and knocked down* a number of times he has never quit or been knocked out. *see cons.
4. Versatility: Has shown he can adapt to a boxer (Joel Casamayor) as well as a brawler (Manny Pacquiao).
5. Experience: Has fought tougher opponents in Diaz, Casamayor, Pacquiao, Barrera and Chris John to name a few.
MARQUEZ’ DRAWBACKS:
1. Size: He has never anyone close to welterweight. Floyd Mayweather Jr. has the comfort of weight and a 5 inch reach advantage.
2. Power and stamina: Although Juan has 37 knockouts, they have come more from an accumulation of shots than one blow. Extra weight may limit power and stamina.
3. Defeat: Has tasted defeat before, thus knows that it is not the end.
4. Chin: Though never knocked out, a knock down or two may prove critical in a decision.
5. Skin: Has been cut before and has “older” skin (at 34) which may be opened easily.
MAYWEATHER PROS:
1. Undefeated: Doesn’t know what it is like to lose and doesn’t want to.
2. Size: Will be fighting at his natural weight and should not tire easily* during fight. *see cons.
3. Natural Ability: His boxing skills are much more fluid, he hasn’t needed to work hard to win fight. Has tremendous speed as well.
4. Chin: Has not been seriously hurt or cut in 39 professional bouts.
5. Age: Although 32 years old isn’t considered young in his division he has not been through the wars his 36 year old opponent has been.
MAYWEATHER DRAWBACKS:
1. Inactivity: By the time the fight comes over 21 months off may cause Mayweather jr. to be rusty, even if he was in the gym it is not the same.
2. Adversity: Although he was tested in 1st fight with Jose Luis Castillo, he has never needed to dig deep to pull out a win.
3. Power: Like his opponent, he has a decent knockout percentage, but not devastating power. Will the inactivity hurt or help?
4. Competition: An odd choice but has not faced the level of competition as Marquez. A controversial win over De La Hoya and knockout of Ricky Hatton are major wins. However diverse competition is not in his resume.
5. Injuries and Training: Hands have always been brittle, even though he doesn’t throw with power. But will the rib injury which postponed original date be healed in time to allow enough time to train.
PREDICTION TIME!
With Mayweather’s ring rust and an alleged rib injury, look to see a body attack like no other from Marquez early. Floyd may have his moments but the long “retirement” will show in the mid to later rounds meaning Marquez by late TKO or UD 12.