For years Juan Manuel Marquez stood by and watched Mexican Idols Eric Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera garner accolades by the truckload. This may have something to do with the manner in which they fought, and fought each other. It isn?t a coincidence that neither idol went out of their way to call out the Mexico City native. They had their own feud to tend to and Marquez was just too unknown, or maybe just too good.
Juan is a brilliant technician who has knockout power in both hands. He is best known for his precise and fierce counterpunching ability. He and his brother Rafael are often referred to as the best brother tandem ever. This type of praise is indicative of the talent and potential they possess. A 34 year old veteran with a record of 47-3-1, 35KO?s has normally either peaked or reached his potential as a fighter. Many feel that Juan?s biggest fights may lie ahead.
Marquez did not gain serious notoriety until he did battle with Mexican nemesis Manny Pacquiao in May of 2004. In a fight that saw Marquez hit the canvas three times in the first round, he would finally gain the elite status his peers had enjoyed for years. Juan would battle back with a busted nose and at times unstable legs, to earn a draw with the Philippino buzz saw who by the way had battered Barrera in eleven one sided rounds a year earlier.
There was no looking back. Marquez had positioned himself among the elites of the game, for the moment. A series of questionable career moves would leave Marquez on the outside looking in once again. A highly sought rematch with Pacquiao would never materialize. In 2006 Marquez and his long time manager- trainer Nacho-Beristain would elect to travel to Indonesia to defend the WBA Featherweight title against unheralded Chris John. Marquez lost a disputed decision and any career momentum from his brilliant performance against Pacquiao.
In an effort to take his now stagnant career to the next level, Marquez signed a contract with Golden Boy Promotions. Of course the next logical opponent was promotional stable mate Marco Antonio Barrera. In a fight that was long over due yet still very intriguing, Marquez would outpoint and out hustle a very game Barrera. In this fight, as in may of his recent outings he was not the counter puncher many were accustomed to. Marquez was the aggressor and even had to come off the canvas to score a close but clear unanimous decision.
Juan was willing to grant the Mexican Legend a rematch. Barrera instead opted to face Pacquiao in failed attempt to exercise some demons. The 34 year old Mexican is determined not to take a backward step at this late stage in his career. That means taking care of business this Saturday night against a younger and determined Rock Juarez 27-3, 19KO?s. Juarez has a mountain of potential but has yet to put it all together on the big stage. This will be the biggest fight of his career. Never mind that he fought and almost beat Barrera recently, he is fighting for his career.
“I know that the job at hand is a very tough one and I know Rocky Juarez is a tough and dangerous opponent. That’s what I’m focusing on now.”
“Talks of rematches and the talk about other opponents doesn’t matter to me because I’m 100 percent focused on Rocky Juarez,” Marquez said.
He is well aware that a slip up here may be insurmountable. Marquez knows that only big fights await him at this point. An impressive victory on Saturday will set the table for another huge fight with Pacquiao or a possible showdown against another top Jr. Lightweight contender. Either way Marquez does not want to be on the outside looking in.
