LAST Rounder Vic Ramos e-mailed all the way from Houston, Texas to share his thoughts:
?No question Marquez-Pacquiao is a much bigger draw as far as boxing business is concerned. Boxing folks in the Texas area would like to see, and will put a lot of money on the Marquez-Pacquiao fight. As a matter of fact, they expect Manny?s camp to use any of the Diazes as bait during negotiations with the Marquez camp. The spending boxing world knows who is the draw and it?s that dude from the Philippines.?
Well Vic, I totally subscribe to your view that Manny is the bigger draw against any of the Diazes and Marquez. But today, two other gallant warriors who also merit consideration as a potential opponent will face each other hoping to come out on top and take part in the Pacquiao sweepstakes.
Joan Guzman, who hails from the Dominican Republic, is 27-0 with 17 knockouts, will be taking on Mexican Humberto Soto 43-5 (27 KOs). If you recall, after Manny beat Marco Antonio Barrera in their rematch, Guzman crashed the post fight press conference hoping to tweak Manny?s pride and goad him into a fight.
Unfortunately, Manny?s team would never let him near a fighter named Joan and so the latter was unceremoniously escorted to the ladies? restroom.
Kidding aside, if you ask me, I?m kinda tired of seeing Manny exclusively fighting Mexican boxers. So I?m picking Joan Guzman and hoping that if he wins this fight, his coin will the fountain bless.
STYLE MATCHUP. Guzman is a terrific boxer-puncher with impressive hand speed and blazing combinations. He likes to start out fast and save for one, all of his knockout wins were registered before the eighth round.
Soto likes to come forward behind a long jab, throwing looping rights and hooks. He has an Antonio Margarito-like uppercut that he times quite well.
STRENGTH. Guzman used to fancy himself as a puncher; hence, his moniker ?El Pequeno Tyson? or Little Tyson. However, it seems like his punch hasn?t traveled with him ever since he moved up in weight. He scored his last stoppage in 2004 against the late Agapito Sanchez at junior featherweight.
Soto is currently riding a six-fight knockout streak dating back to 2005 and even fought beyond the 130-pound limit in his last fight. He will definitely be the stronger fighter.
SPEED. Guzman, hands down. He will probably be able to unleash two, three punch combos by the time Soto counters.
EXPERIENCE/FIGHT PEDIGREE. Soto?s claim to fame was his unanimous decision win against Rocky Juarez in 2005. At that time it was widely considered an upset of major proportions but in his subsequent fights, Soto proved that the win was no fluke, disposing of the likes of Humberto Toledo, Oscar Leon and of course, our very own Bobby Pacquiao.
Guzman was a much-hyped boxer early in his career. Though he never quite lived up to his dynamite nickname, he has nonetheless risen up to the challenge when facing top-level fighters such as Jorge Barrios (split decision) and Tersdak Jandaeng (unanimous decision).
Though Soto has more fights on his odometer, Guzman has faced and beaten better opposition so the advantage goes to him.
EXPECT THE FIGHT: To last. As is typical of his fights, Guzman will win the first few rounds and wow the crowd with eye-catching combinations and booming shots.
But Soto will turn up the heat in the middle rounds and possibly rock Guzman a few times, putting his height and reach advantage to good use.
The latter will weather the storm, box and land power punches from time to time, keeping him in the fight. The championship rounds will be critical but if Guzman survives, his early lead will be enough to clinch the victory.
LAST ROUNDERS PICK SOTO. Among those who e-mailed me were Last Rounders Franklin Mercado and Dexter Belarma, who both predicted a Soto victory.
LAST ROUND. It?s on a good friend who is blessed with an extraordinary voice and superb guitar playing skills, Noel Villarba. Welcome back!
