Tungod, Inabanga, Bohol? Over the past decade, the Mexican triumvirate of the ?Baby-Faced Assassin? Marco Antonio Barrera (65-7-0, 43 KOs), Erik ?El Terrible? Morales (50-6-0, 35 KOs), and Juan Manuel ?Dinamita? Marquez (50-5-1, 37 KOs) has blessed the boxing world with some of the most memorable fights to date. These three ring icons, together with Pinoy boxing great and currently the sport?s top dog Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs), dominated the lower weight divisions with ring smarts, technical excellence, and sheer guts that more than satisfied our pugilistic appetites. Barrera edged Morales 2 to 1 in a bloody trilogy that left fans still asking and wanting for more. Marquez, on the other hand, got his share of the limelight when he convincingly beat Barrera in a super featherweight title clash.
What?s left on the table is the long overdue faceoff between Marquez and Morales ? two ring gladiators who are at the twilight of their illustrious careers, but still have the charisma and reputation to demand a major pay-per-view boxing spectacle. Morales, with his recent 6th round, 3-knockdown demolition of Willie Limond, joined Pacquiao, Marquez and Barrera in an elite list of active fighter with at least 50 victories.
It might be recalled that Morales has openly expressed his desire to face Marquez. Marquez, on the other hand and to my knowledge, has yet to issue a statement regarding a possible blockbuster showdown that should have happened many years ago. But knowing Marquez, who never backs out from any challenge (except perhaps for the infamous turning down of a Pacquiao rematch after their first encounter only to lose to Chris John for a measly $30,000), this fight should be considered a resounding GO if promoters are wise enough not to let this slip through their fingers. These fighters? history with Pacquiao more than ever makes this can?t-miss encounter mouth watering not just for the hard core fans but also to the casual fans as well.
This titanic clash between two ring legends has the potential to rival the very inappropriate Pacquiao-Margarito encounter. I say inappropriate for the simple fact that Antonio ?Loaded Hands? Margarito, a convicted cheater, does not deserve a major payday and a once in a lifetime opportunity to beat the sport?s best fighter pound for pound. Cotto-Margarito would have been forgivable, but that?s another story.
Even Pacquiao fanatics certainly won?t miss Morales-Marquez. I definitely wouldn?t! The supposedly shrewd boxing promotors shouldn’t be stupid enough not to make this happen!
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