Looking far younger than his 40 years, Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez outboxed, outpunched and beat Mike Alvarado to the punch in winning a unanimous decision Saturday night in boxing’s return to the Los Angeles Forum.
The scene of many great fights from the ’80s and ’90s, the Forum was hosting Marquez for the 13th time in his career, and he has still never lost in the legendary building.
Marquez used his experience and skills in the ring to consistently land [precision punches to Alvarado’s head and body. He knocked Alvarado down in the eighth round with an overhand right that dropped the former light welterweight champion from Denver.
Then in the ninth, Alvarado turned the tables and dropped Marquez with a right hand. He almost knocked Marquez down in the 11th as well, but Marquez, legs wobbling, stayed on his feet. the fight turned into a slugfest over the last three or four rounds as the fighters traded hard shots. Marquez outlanded Alvarado 278-178, and connected on 57% of his power punches.
Two of the judges scored it 117-109 and the other had it 119-108, all for Marquez.
Marquez (56-7-1, 40 KOs), becomes the mandatory challenger to WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. Marquez said he is still fighting because he wants to become the first Mexican fighter to win title belts in five weight divisions. He needs a welterweight belt.
“I did expect this kind of fight. I always said Mike Alvarado was worthy and strong,” Marquez said. “I wanted to give the public here a gift that dignified this place (the Forum). As I said before age doesn’t matter.”
“On fighting Pacquiao, whom he knocked out in December 2012, for the fifth time: “Any decision I make will be best for my family and all the Mexican fans.”
Said Alvarado (34-3, 23 KOs), whose eyes were nearly both swollen shut: “He fought a good fight. My hat’s off to him. He’s a great fighter.”
