Juan Manuel Marquez has spent an entire career searching for recognition as one of the best in boxing. While fellow countrymen Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales engaged in one of the sport’s historical trilogies in the earlier part of this decade, Marquez continued to work hard waiting for his opportunity.
“I felt upset watching them get a shot to showcase themselves,” said Marquez from Mexico City, “I felt as if I deserved the opportunity, but I have it now.”
On March 17 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas and broadcast via HBO Pay Per View, Marquez enters the ring to face Marco Antonio Barrera for an opportunity to capture the respect he feels as if he deserves.
Juan Manuel Marquez’s most notable bout came against Filipino Manny Pacquiao. In that now classic 2004 affair, Marquez was knocked down three times in the first round, only to rally and display the sort of heart Mexican fans have come to expect to earn a draw. Since then, Marquez has failed to land a compelling opponent.
Richard Schaefer, C.E.O. of Golden Boy Promotions, which represents both Barrera and Marquez, believes Juan Manuel has been avoided.
“Juan Manuel was offered a purse that was too low for a rematch with Pacquiao,” said Schaefer, “[Erik] Morales avoided Marquez.”
Coincidence, or not, Schaefer’s barbs were directed at two of rival promoter’s Bob Arum’s fighters. Schaefer also failed to mention Barrera also avoided Marquez until he needed a viable opponent after Manny Pacquiao was swept away by Bob Arum.
“During the last four of five years, I was beginning to wonder if I was going to get an opportunity face Barrera,” said Marquez, “Now that I have the chance, I am very thankful.”
A fight that has been wanted by fans for years is now a reality and the similarities between the fighters are great. Both men hail from Mexico City and from towns that are twenty minutes apart, Marquez from Iztapalapa and Barrera from Iztacalka. Early in their careers both men campaigned at the Forum in Inglewood, California and were promoted by Forum Boxing.
Though not friends outside of the ring, Marquez is quite familiar with Barrera.
“He is a great fighter and we have gotten to know each other due to boxing,” said Marquez. “We are not friends, but acquaintances and I always show him respect.”
The respect ends on March 17, when Marquez guns down Barrera for the main stream respect that has alluded him during his 13-year professional career.
