Thrillmaker extraordinaire Juan Manuel Lopez overcame determined Rafael Marquez last night at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas via explosive TKO when Marquez, citing a shoulder injury, remained on the stool before the start of the ninth round.
It was a rousing brawl while it lasted, and both men found themselves tapping deep reserves of willpower early. Round after round, the two exchanged blistering shots until Marquez began to wither beneath a hailstorm of leather. By the time the fight was stopped, Marquez had taken a remarkable amount of punishment and was looking unsteady on his feet. Equally remarkable, however, was the resolve and grit he showed throughout.
A fairly uneventful opening round saw Lopez, 125.5, boxing defensively behind a jab. Halfway through the round, a brief exchange proved Lopez had the faster hands. Marquez, Mexico City, Mexico, tried to offset his disadvantage in speed by freezing Lopez with foot and shoulder feints. Just before the bell, however, Lopez scored with a quick combination that seemed to jar Marquez. It was a sign of things to come.
Both fighters began throwing heavy artillery in the second. Now Lopez, looking to break off shots, began to pursue Marquez. A right hook by Lopez appeared to shake Marquez, and the two exchanged punches in center ring before falling into a clinch. In the third round, Marquez, 125.5, landed two neat double-left hook combinations early, but an onrushing Lopez practically knocked Marquez across the ring with a chopping left. He tore after his reeling opponent in search of the early KO. Although shaken, Marquez remained cool under fire, weathered a few more shots, and waited for Lopez to get careless while on the attack. Circling just enough to leave Lopez reaching with his straight left, Marquez tried his best to work Lopez into a position to score with pinpoint shots.
He was nearly rewarded for his patience in the fourth, when he landed a ripping counter left hook that staggered Lopez. A follow-up flurry?including two straight rights with Lopez re
