Like any high-ranking contender, Rocky Juarez believes he has what it takes to become a world champion. But Juarez is a realist: He knows beating the cream of the crop at super featherweight is a very tall order.
Some of the most physically skilled fighters call this division home. Manny Pacquiao — widely considered the No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter — resides here, as does Marco Antonio Barrera, who has two wins over Juarez.
If Juarez were to take on either of these fighters, he’d be a heavy underdog. But Juarez won’t face Pacquiao or Barrera when he steps into the ring Sept. 15 (HBO pay-per-view at 9 p.m.). Instead, he will face the man many believe to be Pacquiao and Barrera’s superior — WBC champion Juan Manuel Marquez.
To call Juarez a heavy underdog against Marquez would be to put it mildly. Despite his impressive professional record, Juarez (27-3-0, 19 KOs) is seen as a tune-up by most observers.
But don’t tell this to Juarez; he isn’t paying attention to the doubters. On fight night, the only thing Juarez will have on his mind is beating Marquez.
“It never comes to mind that I’m going to lose,” said Juarez, who got the opportunity to face Marquez in early August when Jorge Barrios was forced to withdraw due to torn retinas in each of his eyes. “I feel that come September 15, I am going to win. I have never doubted my ability to become world champion.”
Interestingly, one person who doesn’t doubt Juarez’s ability to pull off a major upset is Marquez. After watching his brother, Rafael, lose his title Aug. 4 by TKO to Israel Vazquez in six brutal rounds, Marquez isn’t taking Juarez lightly.
“I expect Rocky Juarez will come to fight and try to win the title,” said Marquez, who is 47-3-1 with 35 KOs. “Rocky Juarez is a great opponent. It’s going to be a great fight, a tough fight.”
GEORGE TARGETS THE BEST
Wayne-based light heavyweight Shaun George let it be known recently that he’d love to fight former IBF champion Glen Johnson. George let his feeling known after Johnson expressed interest in Roy Jones Jr., Antonio Tarver, Chad Dawson and Bernard Hopkins.
“Those guys are preoccupied,” George said. “It’s clear they don’t want to fight you. I’m willing and able. … Let’s make it happen.”
