Respect for Juan Manuel Marquez

Ever since Marquez's name became a popular drop in boxing, around 2001 after the Peden fight, I had been very dismissive of him. He never seemed to inspire much excitement, outside of his masterful textbook craft. My reluctance was afforded a boost of validity by way of Marquez's own domestic misfortune; Even to this day, Mexican nationals do not really like him. He never had a signature win, that was until last night against Barrera. I have to give the man props because he fought a nuts and guts war with a legend with a suprising quantity of juice left in the tank. Marquez was not passive as he was in the Norwood fight, which having watched it for the first time in 2003, was a disgusting bout that made me hate him. Should he fight a rematch with Barrera, good for him. No taunts, oh he's ducking Pacquiao, because business is business. There was a time in which Marquez was a lost cause in the sport, but now three years after their first fight, Pacquiao-Marquez is once again a big money fight. In fact, it's a bonafide superfight. Congrats to Marquez, all the good things said about him are warranted. He is finally a legitimate champion. Belt, or no belt.

Comments (20)

King_Koyle

The man did what he said he was going to do.He fought "balls to the wall" and gave it his all against Marco.You could see the look of focus and determination on his face throughtout the fight.He fought like a warrior,and narrowly beat Barrera.Much like his brother,he'll probadly get his long overdue respect now.

19y ago

Mr_Ryan

You're a good writer buddy. I hope you make it, because it seems to be your passion. Living in the tri-state area as do I Im sure you know Tim Smith, Mike Katz, etc. I am not impressed with them at all. I find it more intriguing reading what you write than what they do. Thanks alot. I'm friends with Tim Smith, who is also a writer here. I don't see Michael Katz at any of the events here, however. :( Thanks for the kind words.

19y ago

wiso2008

I think Marquez should of won the fight but by closer margin. The judges where watching a different fight. This fight could of being counted a draw.

19y ago

Counter_Puncher

Morales should fight Marquez....he always wins against opponents Barrera couldn't take. :biggthump NICE ANALOGY, CHUPs! PERO DAPAT YATA ALISIN MO NA YUNG BANDANA NI JMM DYAN SA SIG MO! AHAHAHAHA!

19y ago

Counter_Puncher

em would fight david diaz for the wbc lightweight crown this year. NOT IF HE CAN GET A CRACK AT JMM. THIS FIGHT WOULD MEAN MORE TO HIM. UNLESS HE CAN NO LONGER MAKE 130 REALLY....:nonono:

19y ago

PRboxingfan

Morales holds a "W" over those who beat MAB, Pacquiao, Junior Jones, so its possible he can beat Marquez too, still not to discredit JMM but he beat an old 33 year old Barrera. Styles make fights. Just because fighter A beats fighter B, and fighter B beats fighter C, it doesn't mean that fighter A will beat fighter C. As for the age thing, they are both 33 years old.

19y ago

Franko6909

I cannot argue with MAB thinking he was robbed. I had JMM winning 115-112 but many rounds were hard to score. I mean, Harrold Lederman had MAB winning the fight 114-113. It was a close fight as you can tell since I had it 7-5 JMM and Lederman had it 7-5 MAB. There were a few rounds that were hard to score and you had to go with who controlled the action (Ring Generalship) and who landed the cleaner / effective punches. I gave Marquez two rounds that Lederman did not because I felt that Marquez controlled the tempo and connected more power shots than Barrera (even if the total punches in the round were about the same, MAB threw more jabs and JMM threw more power punches). I could live with a 115-112 JMM, 114-113 JMM, or a 114-113 MAB. However, a 118-109 is ludicrous! I'd probably have to take a second look at the fight, but i had it a lot closer than the judges. Not sure what happened with the knock down either. It was an obvious knock down. Both fighters fought exceptionally well regardless.

19y ago

CoLd_WaVE

I got 50K on Marquez. not so fast Addison my man... :D why don't you just ask him for his points.... :D i would also favor JMM against EM now.... as all his fans say, "Erik's shot as hell"...

19y ago

Addison

Put Marquez and Morales together in the ring, and I would still favor el terrible to beat JMM, Morales is the best mexican boxer among the three. I got 50K on Marquez.

19y ago

Emon723

but I think Pac & JMM were the best among the four (MAB, JMM, MP & EM). I hope they get a rematch this year. Yup, Pacman-JMM rematch will settle who's the best among the four.

19y ago

Emon723

Naw, I think Barrera was the best up to about a year ago when he fought Rocky Juarez the first time. I think he's taken a lot of punishment now and is just a bit off his game. I now favor JMM. Remember, Barrera won 2 of 3 fights with Morales (I had him winning the first fight, too) which clearly shows who's the best of those two. vice versa, I think Barrera should have won their first fight and Morales the second, where the decisions went the other way around, Morales holds a "W" over those who beat MAB, Pacquiao, Junior Jones, so its possible he can beat Marquez too, still not to discredit JMM but he beat an old 33 year old Barrera.

19y ago

boxer2k5

much respect JMM is nice as hell dope boxer lots fo heart good chin good power experience did what he had to do he should haev fought liek that in his other fights he would been at the top

19y ago

Run8964

He's just a hell of a fighter. Everyone's known that for ages that's primarily why people are so critical of him and he's always under the microscope. P4P top 5, a rematch between he and Pac sets up an argument as being considered the best in the sport given Wink drops a decision to Nard, or Floyd loses to Oscar. Never pay again for live sex! | Hot girls doing naughty stuff for free! | Chat for free!

19y ago

eazy_mas

Naw, I think Barrera was the best up to about a year ago when he fought Rocky Juarez the first time. I think he's taken a lot of punishment now and is just a bit off his game. I now favor JMM. Remember, Barrera won 2 of 3 fights with Morales (I had him winning the first fight, too) which clearly shows who's the best of those two. I had him winning the 1st fight but he got gifted the 2nd fight and the 3rd it was clear. i think MAB still has the chance against JMM he lost in a slim margin considering that it could been draw or even a win if MAB did foul. but i think there could be a reason because sometimes some fighter exchange word at the fight or in the press conferance that pissed MAb off marquez is a class act.......great sportsman and a phenom at boxing........ yes sometimes he like to lowblow

19y ago

Counter_Puncher

I don't think Pac-JMM would happen just yet. here's what I think would happen: EM saw the fight I'm sure and here's another chance to redeem himself yet again. He would try to get a fight with JMM and try to regain his throne again! If the promoters grab this opportunity, then a PAC-MAB would be the only next best thing for PAC & MAB and would probably go for the much awaited rematch. I don't know if there's a rematch clause in MAB-JMM 1 but if there's one, we should see a MAB-JMM 2 and if MAB wins, a trilogy would ensue! As I see it, the boxing world as of this point in time only revolves around PAC & the 3 M's. Coz that's where the money is, period. - just my thoughts! PEACE!

19y ago

TomRiddle

Put Marquez and Morales together in the ring, and I would still favor el terrible to beat JMM, Morales is the best mexican boxer among the three. but I think Pac & JMM were the best among the four (MAB, JMM, MP & EM). I hope they get a rematch this year.

19y ago

kg21mvp

yeah he deserves the credit! fuck them handlers of JMM of not letting him get the spotlight some 3 years ago and making the rematch between him and pac he has waited for this time all his career and hes getting it.. too bad this wont last long because if he fights pac that spotlight would be dark as hell for him when pac's fists hits him right on the jaw!

19y ago

_LegenD_

marquez is a class act.......great sportsman and a phenom at boxing........

19y ago

PRboxingfan

Put Marquez and Morales together in the ring, and I would still favor el terrible to beat JMM, Morales is the best mexican boxer among the three. Naw, I think Barrera was the best up to about a year ago when he fought Rocky Juarez the first time. I think he's taken a lot of punishment now and is just a bit off his game. I now favor JMM. Remember, Barrera won 2 of 3 fights with Morales (I had him winning the first fight, too) which clearly shows who's the best of those two.

19y ago

PRboxingfan

19y ago