CHICAGO — It was March 2006 when Juan Manuel Marquez — coming off a thrilling draw with Manny Pacquiao — took a questionable fight with difficult boxer Chris John. Marquez lost a decision, and any momentum he had built in providing Pacquiao the fight of his life.
Two-and-a-half years later, Marquez is hoping history doesn’t repeat itself when he meets difficult boxer Joel Casamayor just six months removed from his last fight — a rematch with Pacquiao that re-established Marquez as one of boxing’s prime players.
Unlike the John fight, however, Marquez’ challenge of Casamayor is a highly-anticipated, intriguing showdown between two of boxing’s more accomplished veterans. The duo will duke it out for Casamayor’s recognized lightweight championship Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas (7 p.m., HBO pay-per-view).
Chasing Pacman
After his exciting split-decision victory over Marquez on March 15, Pacquiao announced that he would move up 5 pounds to challenge WBC lightweight champ David Diaz. Marquez, feeling he was robbed, followed “Pac-Man” to 135 pounds in hopes of landing a third fight with the Filipino superstar.
However, Pacquiao looked so good in destroying Diaz that he landed a mega-fight with boxing’s cash cow, Oscar De La Hoya, which is scheduled for Dec. 6.
That leaves Mexico’s Marquez (48-4-1, 35 knockouts) in a tough fight with Miami-based Cuban Casamayor (36-3-1, 22 KOs) — and few options after that.
Now that Pacquiao likely is out of the picture, will that affect “El Dinamita’s” focus? Marquez followers better hope not. Casamayor is not to be taken lightly. “El Cepillo” has been around seemingly forever, with victories over WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight champ Nate Campbell and the late multi-champion Diego Corrales.
However, it was his last fight — a sensational victory over previously undefeated Michael Katsidis on March 22 — that proved Casamayor still is a force with whom to be reckoned.
Despite being knocked out of the ring, Casamayor rebounded to knock out Katsidis — nine years his junior — in the 11th round of a topsy-turvy fight.
Now, the 37-year-old Casamayor is in the most important fight of his life against a 35-year-old superstar who generally is considered one of boxing’s top five pound-for-pound fighters. And it’s a toss-up.
However, like the Pacquiao fights proved, Marquez has trouble with southpaws. And they come no trickier than Casamayor, who is slower these days but retains formidable boxing skills. Add to the equation Casamayor’s naturally bigger frame, his sturdy chin and experience at lightweight, and you have the makings of an upset. And another disappointment for Marquez.
Casamayor by split decision.
Big Fight Weekend
On the Casamayor-Marquez undercard, Sergio Mora will try to prove that his June victory over Vernon Forrest was no fluke. It wasn’t. At 37, Forrest’s best days are behind him, and he no longer has the reflexes to deal with a smart boxer like Mora.
Look for Mora to win a unanimous decision.
On Showtime, the aforementioned Campbell will defend his lightweight titles against WBO junior lightweight champ Joan Guzman. Like Casamayor, Campbell is a rough veteran who isn’t ready to give up the spotlight after years of obscurity. He’ll force the action and outmuscle Guzman for a unanimous decision.
Matthew Aguilar may be reached at [email protected].
