The fate of a highly anticipated boxing match, definitely one of the top two or three in the sport, hangs in the balance Saturday night when Juan Manuel Marquez steps into the ring against Rocky Juarez. Based solely on athletic competition between Marquez and Juarez, Saturday night is a big event in the super featherweight division.
When you consider that Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Manny Pacquiao II hangs in the balance Saturday night, the interest level and number of eyes watching Showtime’s Championship Boxing significantly increases.
Much has already been reported and written about a long awaited rematch between the Mexican and Filipino super featherweights. The WBC, sanctioning body to Marquez’s championship, has called for a fight with Pacquiao to take place, and fans across the globe have been waiting patiently since their first 2004 go around. Rumors of preliminary negotiations have been printed in both Mexican and Filipino papers.
Unfortunately for those who have been waiting and want Marquez vs. Pacquiao, Ricardo ?Rocky? Juarez stands in the way. The former United States Olympian has fallen short each time he has made it to the big dance (twice against Barrera and once with Humberto Soto) and knows this may be his last crack at big time boxing.
?This is it, I know it, ?said Juarez, ?I have had chances to fight for a championship and I am not going to keep getting them.?
Sounds like a perfect guy to ruin the long awaited party, don’t you?
Most followers of boxing seem to feel Marquez will easily defeat Juarez via a twelve round decision. Citing Juan Manuel as one of the most highly skilled boxer’s in the world. On the flip side, the Mexico City product has 51 professional fights in his tank and is thirty-four years of age.
One has to openly wonder when the veteran will grow old as a boxer and will it happen inside the ring. Will it happen against Juarez?
Call me superstitious, but I have had a bad feeling about Marquez’s fate against Juarez since it was announced that Rocky would replace an injured Jorge Barrios. Rocky is still relatively young, in ring years, and has displayed the sort of aggression, at times, which could give an older Marquez fits.
Don’t go and bet the mortgage on my less than technical analysis, but I would not be surprised if Juarez over turned the apple cart and rained all over the Pacman ? Juan Ma’ parade.
