Over the next year to year and a half alot of questions will be answered concerning these three great fighters in Marco Antonio Barrera, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. It seems like you can’t say one name without mentioning the other. Starting this October 6th in Las Vegas with the much anticipated rematch between Marco Antonio Barrera and Manny Pacquiao we will start to get definitive answers concerning this golden era of the featherweight division. The scenarios are endless. We can have possible trilogies, retirements and fights that will define the career of these fighters. Over the next three weeks I will break down each fighter and see what the next year and half will mean for their boxing legacy.
Juan Manuel Marquez
Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez is a young 33 years old fighter. He hasn’t been in the wars that his fellow country men Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales have been in. Marquez has a professional record of 47-3-1 and has been in the shadow of Barrera and Morales for most of his career. Marquez was always a favorite among boxing insiders due to his tremendous defensive skills and counterpunching but it didn’t really translate to the Mexican boxing fans.
In early part of the millennium the fans were enamored with Barrera and Morales’ fighting style. They were putting on action fights that the fans loved. Marquez’s fights weren’t as eye catching to the fans as his fellow countrymen. “Dinamita” was the definition of a high risk-low reward fighter. At one point in his career, Marquez was the number one contender for Prince Naseem Hamed’s WBO belt for two years in a fight that never materialized. Juan Manuel could have easily exposed Naseem Hamed before Barrera did. Unfortunately, Marquez finally got his first title shot against Freddie Norwood for “Lil Hagler’s” WBA title. Marquez sub sequentially lost to Norwood in what was supposed to be Marquez’s coming out party.
Next in 2003, Juan Manuel finally got his championship straps by defeating Manuel Medina and Derrick Gainer for the IBF and WBA title. In what was a surprising move by both the sanctioning bodies, Marquez was later stripped of both belts due to the lack of financial bids for his fights with the number one contenders.
Finally in May 2004, Marquez finally had his coming out party against Manny Pacquiao. “Dinamita” proved why he was on top of all the boxing insider’s pound-for-pound list. He finally got the respect and adoration of the Mexican fight fans due to the heart and courage he showed that night in Las Vegas. I had the privilege to attend that fight in person and when Marquez went down for the third time in the first round, the crowd erupted. I really felt like my best friend Cesar and I were watching the fight from Pacquiao’s city of General Santos.
After being down three times in the first round and getting his nose broken, Marquez made arguably the best comeback in boxing history. Marquez adjusted and stayed away from Pacquiao’s vicious left hand the rest of the fight and was able to utilize his superior boxing skill to win in 10 of the last 11 rounds my eyes. The fight was scored as a draw and Marquez retained his belt.
Manny Pacquiao went on to face Erik Morales because Juan Manuel’s management team was asking for to much money for the rematch. He then unfortunately went on to lose to Chris John in Indonesia. In 2006, Marquez showed more offense in knocking out the rugged Terdsak Jandaeng and Jimrex Jaca.
Finally in 2007, the long awaited Marco Antonio Barrera – Juan Manuel Marquez fight took place in March. Marquez won by decision in a very skillful fight between these two Mexican heroes. The fight was definitely closer then what the judges scorecards indicated.
Coming this September, Mexico City’s kingpin will have a tune up fight versus Jorge Barrios. Marquez is hoping to have a rematch next year with Manny Pacquiao due to both men wanting closure to their exciting but controversial draw three years ago. Marquez knows that if he beats the seemingly indestructible Pacquiao, people will have no choice but to put him at the top of the pound for pound list. In my opinion, Marquez still has a few good years left in him. The winner of the Humberto Soto – Joan Guzman fight would be a good match up for Marquez. I honestly believe that Marquez can move up to 135 pounds and make some noise up there as well. He has the body type and the boxing skills to compete for another title. Fight fans would love to see Marquez fight the likes of Juan Diaz and Michael Katsidis.
Juan Manuel Marquez is finally out of the shadow of Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales. He will be looking to solidify his legacy with scintillating major bouts coming in the next couple years.
Next week part 3: Manny Pacquiao
Tickets will go on sale this Saturday at 10am PST for the Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera fight set for October 6th at The Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. There is an 8 ticket limit per person. Tickets range from $100–$600. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.
