The title is not a misprint. The legendary Juan Manuel Marquez (53-6-1, 39 KO) is fighting a fella who is 42-0 with only one knockout.
After threatening to retire following his controversial loss to Manny Pacquiao last fall, Juan Manuel Marquez will step in the ring again to face Argentine Cesar Rene Cuenca (42-0, 1 KO) on April 21st.
The bout will be contested at jr middleweight (140 lbs) and will likely be for Tim Bradley’s WBO Jr Welterweight strap should he vacate it before fighting Pacquiao.
Marquez had been campaigning at lightweight (135 lbs) for several years before moving up to welterweight (147 lbs) last November to fight Pacquiao.
The 38 year-old Marquez, still convinced he’s justifiably 3-0 against Manny Pacquiao, is ranked No. 3 on FightSaga’s Pound-for-Pound list and was rumored to be fighting wither Tim Bradley or Lamont Peterson next. However, after Bradley won the ‘Manny Pacquiao Sweepstakes,’ Peterson opted to rematch Amir Khan leaving Marquez without a ‘name’ opponent. Still one of the biggest names in boxing, Juan Manuel Marquez is potentially a top candidate to face the winner or Khan vs Peterson II or Pacquiao vs Bradley next should he defeat Cuenca in April.
Also, up-and-coming lightweight Mercito ‘No Mercy’ Gesta from Mandaue City, Philippines, has been rumored as a possible opponent for Marquez in July at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, TX.
Pacquiao vs Marquez Marquez, the reigning unified lightweight champion when he stepped up to fight Pacquiao last fall, is coming off a disputed majority-decision loss to WBO Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquiao. A 9-1 underdog, Juan Manuel Marquez looked anything but the small, slow, over-the-hill fighter some experts thought they’d see. From the onset, Marquez appeared focused and ready and, after Round 5, it became increasingly clear he’d had done his homework and was well-prepared for this assignment.
Although CompuBox showed Pacquiao was more active and landed more jabs and power-shots, the decision was met with resounding boos from ring spectators and widespread criticism from fans who watched on television. Marquez’s punches appeared more flush and authoritative, drawing more “ooohs” from those in attendance. Despite the controversy, Pacquaio had a fair share of experts who sided with him, including HBO’s Harold Lederman who scored the bout in favor of Pacquiao 116-112.
Cesar Rene Cuenca Marquez’s opponent is quite unique in that he’s an undefeated ten year veteran with 42 wins but only one knockout – a stoppage seven years ago against Andres Villafane (then 7-1-2).
The 31 year old southpaw defeated Alex De Jesus (19-0) in 2009 and Mauricio Ariel Pereira (15-0-1). He fought three times in 2011, winning an 8 round unanimous decision and two 10 round unanimous decisions. Cesar Rene Cuenca is rated No. 28 in the jr welterweight division by BoxRec and No. 1 by the WBO in the same division.
Marquez vs Cuenca on April 21st!
