Gomez Talks Mayweather-Marquez, Pacquiao-Cotto
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez believes that Juan Manuel Marquez has a chance to beat Floyd Mayweather Jr in their Number One/Numero Uno showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 19.
During an interview with BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports at the Golden Boy Promotions Office in Los Angeles,Gomez conceded “it’s a big fight, it’s a big task, but honestly we’ve analyzed the fight” in relation to Marquez’ two extremely close encounters with Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao and realize that Marquez can pull off a stunning upset.
Gomez said Mayweather has speed, he’s got great defense and he’s and punching power “but when you compare it to the speed of Pacquiao, hey Marquez was able to compete and I think Pacquiao is probably as fast or even faster than Mayweather. Punching power you got to give it to Pacquiao but again Marquez was able to neutralize that speed and punching power. But Mayweather’s defense is impeccable. However, after being out for two years you’re not going to be at the top of your game.”
The exciting fight card will be telecast “Live” by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN over its pre-eminent Channel 2..
Gomez said he had a chance to see Marquez in Mexico City and “Oscar (De La Hoya) feels confident that he’s going to win. Oscar said he’s training the right way, doing the right thing, he’s going to beat this guy (Mayweather.) ”
Gomez downplayed the fact that Marquez is moving from 135 to the welterweight catch-weight of 144 saying “in those weight classes it doesn’t make much of a difference because these guys rely so much on speed and technique and maturity. In the heavier weights then obviously it becomes a problem. But I believe Marquez has a chance.”
Gomez said “everybody wants a third fight between Marquez and Pacquiao especially all the Mexicans. The Golden Boy Promotions executive said the winner of this fight will have to fight Pacquiao because that’s what the fans want.”
He insisted however that Pacquiao “doesn’t have an easy fight against Miguel Cotto” also set for the MGM Grand on November 14. Gomez stressed that Pacquiao has “a very tough fight against Cotto. Cotto can give him some problems because he’s a good body puncher and he’s naturally bigger, stronger. Its going to come to a point where Manny’s flirting too much with the weight. What he did with Oscar (De La Hoya) was tremendous. It was great. With Ricky Hatton it was astonishing. But now what he’s getting into is a little dangerous with the weight. He (Pacquiao) is giving up a lot.”
Gomez figured that Pacquiao would try to cut up Cotto “with his speed and combinations and get out of harm’s way. I think that’s the way for Pacquiao to beat Cotto.” However, Gomez noted that the thing about Manny is as soon as someone lands a punch on Manny he gets upset and wants to fight. He’s got that fire inside. He’s got the spirit of Lapu Lapu inside.”
Meantime, the Mexican legend Marquez was scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and will visit the heart of the Mexican township in Olveras Street, Los Angeles at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday for a rally and will hold a news conference at 11:00 a.m. on Monday at the Kodak Theater a couple hours before the Pacquiao-Cotto promotional tour rolls into LA for their own press conference to promote their own “Fire Power” battle.
Gomez said the Mayweather-Marquez fight was doing well and there were less than 2,000 tickets remaining for sale.
