Juan Manuel Marquez is a great fighter. Ask anyone who?s ever faced him and they?ll tell you the same. Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs) can box like few can.
The 38 year olds? counter punching skills have been referred to as brilliant by more than one ringside boxing analyst. He?s won world titles in three different divisions and many believe he?s the only man with the style to defeat Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.
Yet for some reason, his native country of Mexico hasn?t quite embraced him like they have Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales or even Saul ?Canelo? Alvarez.
The fact that Mexican fans fawn over a relative newcomer like Alvarez must be especially infuriating for Marquez. ?What has he done?? Marquez reportedly said of 21 year old Alvarez when he first heard the Guadalajara based red-head was getting a world title shot. ?Nothing at all, he?s not even a decent fighter.?
It?s amazing that after fifty nine fights and some mesmerizing performances against the best in the business, Marquez still finds himself defending his career.
It became obvious during one of our conversations that his questionable loss to Chris John in March of 2006 still smarts. John, an Indonesian fighter, was gifted a decision over Marquez in front of his hometown fans and important local politicians. A close look at the video showed Marquez out-boxing and out-working his opponent over twelve rounds. But he couldn?t escape the heaps of ?home cooking? that was dished out ?buffet-style? in favor of John. ?I clearly won the fight. Chris John didn?t win more than three rounds,? remembers Marquez.
?It was a terrible night for the sport,? said Marquez?s hall of fame trainer Ignacio ?Nacho? Beristain. ?The evidence is on video. It will always be there. The truth doesn?t hide. Juan Manuel was robbed.?
?It was a huge lesson learned and a setback but my career recovered well,? Marquez said. ?Now it?s time to handle this unfinished business with Pacquiao. I have to beat him decisively.?
