James Foley is back at Bad Left Hook this morning to take another look back at 2011, this time discussing some of the “losers” whose reputations went up after courageous performances, robberies on the scorecards, or just a great fight.
There’s one thing that disqualifies anyone from the fighter-of-the-year discussion: losing. I’d like to look back at some of the gentlemen who came up empty in their quest for victory last season, but nonetheless offered some kind of compelling acquittal of themselves. All of these fellows have blemishes on their 2011 marks and many are in better position now than they were before the year began.
Some were victims of outlandish judging. Others lost narrowly in epic bloodbaths. And some were utterly whipped but displayed tremendous courage and bravado.
Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Manny Pacquiao, November 12
Marquez was written off by most as nothing more than unfinished business for Pacquiao. This time around, at a higher weight class with Pacquiao in his prime and Marquez seemingly in the twilight of his, there was a good chance Pac-man could stop and possibly even seriously hurt his 38 year-old nemesis. Giving up size, age and punch output, Marquez defied the expectations with a masterpiece of clean counter-punching and crafty defense. But it wasn’t enough. The low volume of punches ultimately cost him in the eyes of the judges and Marquez was left to mourn his fate naked at his locker, a sombrero playing the role of fig leaf. But the performance didn’t go unnoticed. Marquez proved for the umpteenth time he is one of the best fighters of the era and a perfect foil for Pacquiao’s frenetic style.
Erik Morales vs. Marcos Maidana, April 9
If people thought Marquez had grim prospects, most believed his countryman Morales was on a suicide mission when he challenged the hard-hitting Maidana at a weight-class several higher than the one he competed at in his prime. The first four rounds went according to script…Morales took a big right in the first and his eye swelled into a slit. The next three rounds were painful to watch. The proud Morales looked like he was in survival mode. Maidana battered him around the ring and a knockout appeared imminent. In the fifth, following a fiery speech from the corner, Morales, in old Morales fashion, began to fight back. He was beating up the bully using quicker hands, rattling Maidana with unexpected counters. Morales gassed late and he never did seem to know how to turn a war back into a boxing match. The younger, stronger Maidana rang up the last two rounds and eked the decision, but the performance of Morales remains one of the most inspirational moments in boxing last year.
