By Miguel Rivera
Juan Manuel Marquez is the last man remaining from the recent era of Mexican boxing. But the former four division world champion has not fought since May of 2014.
Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Jorge Arce and several others have long retired. Even Marquez's younger brother, former world champion Rafael Marquez, is no longer fighting.
Marquez believes the door is wide open to establish the next idol of Mexican boxing.
He says several fighters are coming up in the ranks and have the ability to lead the next boxing era in Mexico.
Who are those fighters? Marquez names such fighters as Canelo Alvarez, Gilberto Ramirez, Oscar Valdez, Carlos Cuadras and Juan Francisco 'Gallo' Estrada.
As far as the frontrunner to lead the pack? Marquez views current WBA/WBO flyweight world champion Estrada (33-2, 24KOs) as being the man in the driver's seat.
"I think it is a good time in Mexican boxing, but someone needs to take the mantle and become the next idol of Mexican boxing," Marquez told Golpe y Golpe.
"I like Gallo Estrada. I have always said that he is a great fighter. He needs to do that fight with 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez. The world would like to see that fight. There is Canelo Alvarez, who still does not fully satisfy the taste of the people but in the end they support him. And there are other fighters that are also wanting to get ahead...Carlos Cuadras, Oscar Valdez, 'Zurdo' Ramirez."
"Gallo Estrada ,I think he's the most reliable [to lead Mexican boxing]. He is a fighter who is technical, he can fight, throws good punches, and has all of the facets that a fighter needs. When he needs to box...he boxes. When he needs to fight, he can fight. He puts his combinations together very well."
