By: James Blears

Casting aside his bitter disappointment at the cancellation of the fight against Manny Pacquiao, which collapsed like a deck of cards, over purse rows, WBA and IBF Featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, has launched into his sparring sessions.

Team Marquez hope to persuade fellow Mexican and IBF Super Bantamweight Israel Vazquez to swop leather with Juan, on February 26th, which was the date scheduled for his second meeting with Manny.

At the Gilberto Roman Gym in Mexico City, Juan’s first sparring partner was brawny middleweight 22 year old Juan Carlos Sanchez who has a pro record of nine wins, five ko’s and two losses.

During the two, four minute rounds, Marquez’s high ratio of straight jabs were initially bouncing off the far bigger man, until he dug a few left hooks into his ribcage and midriff, followed by some short uppercuts into the headguard.

Sanchez caught Marquez with some well timed combinations showing that somewhat more ring sharpness will need to seep into Juan Manuel’s noticeably smaller frame during the coming weeks.

Next up was 20 year old welterweight Esau Herrera, who has an impressive pro record of fourteen wins, eleven ko’s and only one loss.

Esau who was sporting a green Mexican soccer shirt, proved awkward and rangy, mostly keeping it at distance behind his long jab, over his allotted two four minute rounds. And as Marquez attacked with rapid fire combinations Esau maintained a reasonably sound defense with hands held high.

Always a stickler for a prolonged and absolutely thorough preparation for all of his fights, Juan Manuel Marquez insisted that this latest promotional setback won’t deflect him from the  professional standards he sets for himself.

He did however confirm that on the advice of his lawyer, he will complete his legal obligations to Top Rank and then become a free agent.

Marquez and his Manager Ignacio Beristain, are due to meet Mexican Promoter Fernando Beltran in Mexico City. Juan says he’s very doubtful if he will sign any further contractual obligation.

He also commented that when all is said and done, he’s still a world champion holding two versions of the title.