If you really think on it, the Bermuda Quadrangle that is Joan Guzman, Juan Manuel Marquez, Edwin Valero and Manny Pacquiao, the storm center of all 130-punders, there is more commonality than there is difference.
This talented quartet have so much in common that is somewhat frightening. To wit:
They all come from a background of abject poverty. They are all national idols, probably ranked in terms of fan intensity in their respective homelands this way, 1, National Fist Pacman, 2, Guzman being his small country?s only ring idol against a backdrop of so many baseball superstars, 3, Marquez, who is one of so many Mexican fistic stars and 4, Valero, a Venezuelan who has been operating out of Japan. With the exception of Valero, they all have brothers who are pro boxers. Guzman?s brother, Jose, is just starting out. Bobby Pacquiao is relegated to opponent status. But Rafael Marquez is a superstar in his own right. All of them are devoted family men and breadwinners for their clans. They all have superb trainers. Valero is getting used to Coach Kenny Adams right now in Vegas. Maybe Adams can sprinkle a bit of defense and caution into Valero?s wild and ferocious style. Nacho Beristain made key adjustments in Juan Ma?s fight plan, using lead rights and being so much more aggressive for the Pacman rematch that the difference at the end was one measly point on one judge?s scorecard. Coach Roach has never been a joke and he talked Pacquiao off the ledge when he was badly cut and perhaps thinking of abandoning ship. Chez Freddie a/k/a Wild Car Gym was where Pacman got into probably his best physical condition ever. Guzman is now working without Floyd Mayweather Sr., who has returned to Boss Oscar and the big bucks. But Guzman will buzz Alex Arthur early and often in Scotland May 3 and then I assume Big Floyd will return. Upstanding citizens. I?ve never heard a whiff of scandal, criminal activity or anything else you could not print in a family newspaper about these four gents. Look at the daily NFL/NBA police blotter for a sharp contrast to the behavior of these fighters. Mutuality. In order to fully determine their greatness, they need to fight each other. The Quadrangle is moving up to the lightweight division to join overachievers Joel Casamayor and Nate Campbell and young stars such as Juan Diaz and Rocky Kastidis. The reconstituted lightweight divison is a wet dream for promoters, matchmakers and you fans.
Valero, Guzman, Pacquiao and Marquez. They have more in common than they have which sets them apart. Bright lights go to bright lights. Come to think of it, maybe we rename the 135-pound class just that, the Bright Lights.
Or we could call the 135-pounders the antidote to the heavyweight swamp!
