He's now the holder of the WBA and WBO straps as well as the IBO belt (who cares) and Ring Championship. What's he to do? Seek Superfights and let the belts go or defend against mandatories. If he decides to defend, he's gonna be in for some tough competition with little reward. He's about to have the following fighters knocking on his door:
Edwin Valero (WBA)
Joan Guzman (WBA)
Marco Antonio Barerra (WBA/WBO)
Anthony Peterson (WBO)
Breidis Prescott (WBO)
At age 35, what do you all think he will decide to do?
He's now the holder of the WBA and WBO straps as well as the IBO belt (who cares) and Ring Championship. What's he to do? Seek Superfights and let the belts go or defend against mandatories. If he decides to defend, he's gonna be in for some tough competition with little reward. He's about to have the following fighters knocking on his door:
Edwin Valero (WBA)
Joan Guzman (WBA)
Marco Antonio Barerra (WBA/WBO)
Anthony Peterson (WBO)
Breidis Prescott (WBO)
At age 35, what do you all think he will decide to do?
Marquez problem is that his clock is ticking..... He doesnt really have the style to hang around like Hopkins, and isnt in the division to do it either as all of these fighters are fast and many of them are prepared to go the full 12.
At this moment I would favor him over any of them if they were his next fight, but only one could be the next, and all of them would take that much more out of him (meaning the fight after that would be that much harder).
I think he could beat Barrera and probably do it in an easier fashion than their first fight. Problem is I think this is the prevailing thought, so unless Barrera totally dominates Khan, there won't be much demand for this fight.
Guzman is technically the best of this crew, but it'd be like the Casamayor fight, except Guzman has alittle bit more speed and alot less power. He can be broken down when pressured hard.
Valero and Peterson are both relatively unproven (Valero is the more proven of the 2), but they are the two with the most power. Valero has more brute strength, and has a better activity level. Peterson has slightly less power, but has much better speed, and straighter punches.
Prescott is a wildcard, Marquez might want to get too while he is still raw and learning to use his physical advantages. Once this kid figures it out, he will be dangerous.
Valero will probably win the WBC belt, which would drop him from the WBA rankings, Guzman is in line to fight for the IBF belt which, provided he wins, would also drop him from the WBA rankings.
I think he'll move up to 140 if no big fights present themselves at 135, not many people want to see a rematch with Barrera at this stage unless he looks ultra impressive against Khan, maybe a Khan fight would keep Marquez at 135, that's a big money fight. I don't think he's interested in the rest.
And unless JMM gets caught flush by Prescott, he would beat Prescott without too much trouble, Funeka would give him more trouble.
I see JMM beating Funeka easier than Prescott; Funeka's chin would cause him major problems against a precision puncher like JMM.
JMM will leave his belts and move up. Hes just to obcessed on Pac. :lol1:
If he does I hope he takes a fight with Nate Campbell. That would be sick.
His best bet is probably to stay at LW and try to dominate, and wait for a Pac fight to open up before actually making another weight class jump. 140 really would be a bit high for him otherwise.
I hope Marquez does whatever is in his best interest and keeps him motivated. Until he gets "old", which will happen sooner than later, he still has what it takes to make fight with or beat anybody. The winner of the big GBP tournament will be a good opponent, Nate Campbell would have been a good one, there are a few other guys at LW. Maybe Anthony Peterson will get a crack at him.
Marquez is exciting, talented and courageous, Ill support the guy one way or another. And this isnt coming from a fanboy, I rooted against him when he fought Pac and Diaz.
Valero will probably win the WBC belt, which would drop him from the WBA rankings, Guzman is in line to fight for the IBF belt which, provided he wins, would also drop him from the WBA rankings.
I think he'll move up to 140 if no big fights present themselves at 135, not many people want to see a rematch with Barrera at this stage unless he looks ultra impressive against Khan, maybe a Khan fight would keep Marquez at 135, that's a big money fight. I don't think he's interested in the rest.
And unless JMM gets caught flush by Prescott, he would beat Prescott without too much trouble, Funeka would give him more trouble.
Valero and Prescott could very well pose the greatest threat to JMM at 135.
Thing is, I know Prescott can majorly bang with those wild swinging haymakers of his - and he scares the shit out of me when does that - but can he KO a guy who's been in the ring with numerous dangerous fighters (Pac, Casamayor, Diaz, MAB) and never been stopped?
I guess there's a 1st time for everything (i.e. Margarito), but could that really happen? I'm almost asking that question as a rhetorical one, because who really knows now that JMM is kingpin again. But then, if midget Pac put him on his ass in both fights and Diaz had him thoroughly outpointed (at least on my scorecard)...
Ohh, I'd love it if JMM was the first man to KO Prescott. But then... he'd be a midget compared to the guy.
Valero and Prescott could very well pose the greatest threat to JMM at 135.