Moments ago at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, living legend Juan Manuel Marquez returned to form with an impressive twelve round decision over Juan Diaz to defend his WBA and WBO Lightweight belts. The Mexico City fighter was sharp throughout and reminded us all that he still has plenty left in the tank.
The two men engaged in last year?s fight of the year when Marquez halted a valiant Diaz in the ninth round in February of 2009 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Seventeen months later Marquez was equally as dominant but wasn?t able to register the convincing stoppage he was looking for. The scores read 118-110, 117-11, and 116-112 in favor of ‘Dinamita’.
Last September Marquez suffered a horrible drubbing at the hands of a come backing Floyd Mayweather Jr. Marquez was dropped in the second and had no answer for Mayweather?s speed and accuracy. Some questioned whether Marquez was past it but with tonight?s outing he proved he still has much fight left in him.
Following his victory Marquez noted that while the fight wasn?t as riveting as last year?s affair, Diaz still made things tough.
?This one was difficult. It was a war for both of us.?
Marquez also stated that despite being the Lightweight champion of the world that he is dead set on a third clash with Manny Pacquiao. The two men fought to a draw in May of 2004 and Marquez lost a split decision in March of 2008. Marquez feels that he won both contests and is eager to get a crack at Pacquiao again.
?The trilogy is what we want. The people want it. We want it. Filipino fans and Mexican fans [want it].?
