FOLLOWING Juan Manual Marquez?s solid rematch victory over Juan Diaz at the weekend, many fans have been calling for the Mexican to get a third crack at Manny Pacquiao. Admittedly, Marquez looked impressive and eased any doubts that he was damaged goods following his one-sided loss to Floyd Mayweather.
The win over Diaz, as much as the loss to Floyd, show that Juan Manuel has no business fighting above lightweight; making the Pacquaio fight a non-starter. Marquez was unlucky not to receive the nod in one of his furious meetings with the Filipino, but any plans to follow him upwards should be forgotten. If every fighter could glide through the weight divisions like Manny Pacquaio we would not still be raving about Henry Armstrong?s glorious achievements from the 1930s.
Marquez can make a pretty buck staying at lightweight and would probably be favoured over Michael Katsidis and Humberto Soto. Either of those fights would likely guarantee thrills and healthy paydays.
As for Juan Diaz, he too showed he?s not finished but his options look far more limited. He was comprehensively outscored by his more experienced opponent and probably won?t get another big-money scrap off the back of his efforts. He remains one of the top lightweights, but his days as an elite player look done. He?s a bright guy who could do far worse than walk away. But if everyone walked away at the right time, 49-0 wouldn?t be the most famous tally in boxing history.
Full credit should go to Golden Boy Promotions for attempting to put on a decent undercard. Shame on Sakio Bika for sucker-punching Jean Paul Mendy when he was down and handing victory to the Frenchman on a plate. Bika, a decent guy outside of the ring, is building a reputation as quite the opposite within it. Although undoubtedly talented and hard to fight, it?s difficult to foresee anyone taking a chance on Sakio again.
I don?t think I?m the only one disappointed with Robert Guerrero but I think I?m one of the few who feels he should get some credit. His first priority should be to move back down a weight or two because he looked a bit sluggish. Even so, when the crafty Joel Casamayor is in that mood, it?s hard for anyone to look good.
And poor old Rocky Juarez. He?s certainly not an all-time great, but in an era of multiple world titles, it is hard to think of a better fighter who failed to claim a belt. Even Frank Bruno could call on Oliver McCall when all looked lost. Sir David Attenborough has received 29 honorary degrees. Surely somebody can find a belt for Rocky somewhere.
MISCELLAENOUS MEANDERINGS
Full credit to everyone ? particularly Kevin Hayde, David Walker, Mervyn Turner and Roy Payne ? who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the WBC Night of Champions weekend a glorious success. From boxing legends like Roberto Duran and Carlos Zarate, to current kings like Sergio Martinez and Vitali Klitschko, everyone had a smile on their face.
Bringing nearly 100 champions together was an incredible feat. As I spoke to people towards the end of the weekend about their thoughts on the proceedings, the word ?family? was mentioned several times. Boxing spawns varying characters from different backgrounds but the loyalty and respect remains fiercely unifying.
As I dipped in and out of playful arguments between punters in the Park Inn Hotel on Saturday night about why Muhammad Ali was better than Joe Louis, and why Sugar Ray Robinson would beat Sugar Ray Leonard, it occurred to me how much I utterly adore the sport of boxing. It is infuriating at times, but it has a magnetism not many sports can boast. It was an unbelievable pleasure to be in Cardiff this weekend.
For a full report on the events, check out next week?s Boxing News.
Thanks for reading.
