Juan Manuel Marquez is a fighter that is destined for the Hall of Fame. He’s one of the best technicians of our era and has seemingly only recently gotten the recognition of greatness that he deserves. His career path has been that of a rickety roller coaster reaching some dramatic highs as well as some truly destructive lows. As of right now, he’s soaring at his highest due to his recent March victory over the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera.
The battle between two of Mexico City’s finest prizefighters was truly a blessing for “Dinamita” due to the fact that Barrera didn’t have to fight him. It was a fight taken for bragging rights and the fact that “The Baby Face Assassin” wanted to lock horns with the best available opposition.
The recently announced September 15 Pay-per-view card headlining Marquez vs. Jorge Barrios is a step in the worst direction for “Dinamita’s” career. He’s taking on a fighter that has recently been defeated by Joan Guzman so it makes no sense that he doesn’t fight the Dominican Republic phenom himself. What does Jorge Barrios do for Juan Manuel’s career at this point in time?
Nothing.
It might be a good payday but that’s pretty much about it. Coming off the biggest win of his career you’d figure that Golden Boy Promotions would attempt to keep the momentum going in full swing by matching him up with fighters that the public has been clamoring for. I’m referring to fighters like Manny Pacquiao, Joan Guzman, Edwin Valero, and Humberto Soto. These are fighters that are hungry, in their primes and would bring out the best in Marquez as well as challenge the technically proficient master.
The outcome for the Jorge Barrios fight is already set. Marquez wins by either late round stoppage or a unanimous decision. What’s the intrigue for anybody to worry or wonder about this fight let alone purchase the pay-per-view?
There’s too much talent in or around the 130 pound division to settle on Jorge Barrios as an opponent for Marquez at this point in his career. I’d figure that the man only has 2 or 3 good fights left in him and to waste one right now is a sad thing to deprive his fans of. Usually I look forward to the September/HBO pay-per-view cards since they’ve been quite stellar in recent years but this is one that creates about as much emotion as the announcement of Holyfield-Savarese pay-per-view. A Blank Stare.
When the fans are too sure of one outcome, it doesn’t make for interesting boxing. Don and Lorraine Chargin put together great boxing cards in which there is no hometown favoritism and the outcome is based on who came into the ring hungrier, more prepared, and ready to execute their game plan. This is why their fan base is loyal and they know to expect the unexpected especially when the match-making is done to create explosive fights.
Marquez-Barrios is no fun in the sense that there is no promotional spin to actually even make it seem as though Jorge has a chance. Juan is just too superior in every which way and boxing fans realize this and therefore probably emit the same response to the announcement of this match. Blah.
PS. Can you retract an announcement in favor of a fight that the public will actually be interested in? If so it’d be great since September is usually a month all boxing fans look forward to and this fight does nothing to generate interest in any circles anywhere.
