He does not have an air of invincibility.
Nor has he won championships in a mind boggling 8 weight divisions.
Juan Manuel Marquez is not Manny Pacquiao, but we should respect him for what he is – a master boxer with a flare for the dramatic.
After surviving a third round knock-down against Michael Katsidis Saturday night, the lightweight champion Marquez rallied and scored a ninth round TKO in the in what can be considered a lock for 2010 Fight of the Year.
Round after round, Marquez used Katsidis’ blind aggression to set-up beautiful counter-punches with a craftsmanship that will not be seen for many years once he retires.
A chin that lets him down during the course of fight from time to time, but only amplifies the dramatics of his bouts, is a gift to fans looking for memorable action.
Two years in a row, Marquez will have competed in what was considered Fight of the Year; last year in a thrilling back and forth victory against Juan Diaz.
So while fans give Pacquiao accolades for his brilliance, and rightfully so, Marquez should be admired for breathing life into a stale boxing landscape void of memorable action on most weekends.
Talk of a third fight between Marquez and Pacquiao continues, but this observer would be happy to see Juan Manuel ply his trade on American boxing broadcast leader HBO for the next few years against young lions Jorge Linares, Robert Guerrero, and Brandon Rios.
