People are still "fight high" from the excellent fight from Diaz and Marquez. But look at it this way. When Pacquiao surprised the world and destroyed De La Hoya, this forum was covered with "Pacquiao > Mayweather" or "Pacquiao ATG" threads. Now fast forward three months later. When people bring up Pacquiao's victory over De La Hoya, they say De La Hoya was weight drain (despite De La Hoya and Nacho saying otherwise) and Oscar was too old.
I have a funny feeling the same thing will happen to Marquez in the future months. After the "fight high" wears off, people might say Marquez just beat a guy who has little experience with elites.
Agreed completely, very good points. JMM is truly a great great fight and the way he came in looking to knock out Diaz after the first knock down was one of the more beautiful displays of precision boxing I've seen. But anyone who says this victory should put him ahead of Pac P4P is definitely riding a wave of emotion after the fight.
Also take into consideration Pac next fight again the lineal champion who is undefeated at that weight in Hatton. Although I'm not a big Hatton fan that is still a very dangerous fight for Pac to take. I could see moving JMM to #1 is Pac was fighting a nobody in his next fight but come on.
If you argue that this win makes JMM #1 then if Pac beats Hatton you would have to put Pac back at #1. Thats just not how P4P is supposed to work in my opinion.
look this is how I view it: Mayweather was clearly #1 and then he retired making Calzaghe #1 then Calzaghe retired making Pac, who many people say was #1 when Joe was still around anyway, the consensus #1.
Pac's last three fights were wins of JMM, david diaz and de lay hoya at a much higher weight than he's used to. JMM's last three were a loss to Pac (it was a close fight, they gave it to Pac, thats the way it goes), casamayor and juan diaz.
To me in order to advance over someone in P4P rankings the person ahead of you must either suffer a loss, have a long string of inactivity or have a stretch of much lower competition. None of those things have happened so Pac stays #1. I understand your point but thats how I see it.
Before factoring in size I would say JMM. JMM would be able to keep the distance and box Castillo well, countering many of his shots. I don't think he could hurt a prime Castillo but if he fought a smart fight should be able to outbox him for 12 rounds as long as he doesnt get into a slugfest with him. All that being said Castillo may have been too big for him at the end of the day. But based on skills JMM for sure.
7.) The replay of the first knockdown shows some amazing slow motion footage of Marquez's ability to adjust a punch, mid-combination. He's about to throw the left uppercut, and he notices that Diaz is out of range, so he pulls it right back, and turns it into a jab, which sets up a nice right hand afterward. The entire replay is a perfect example of how deadly Marquez's accuracy can be.
9.) I still miss Larry Merchant.
Agreed completely. Marquez's technical skill is amazing, probably better than anyone else in the sport right now. I was especially impressed with how he finished Diaz off. He had his man hurt and just stood back and threw well placed, accurate, hard punches including a vicious body shot which led to the uppercut knock out. A lot like a lion going in for the kill on wounded prey.
And yes, I don't care what anyone says, Larry brought something to the fights that no one else will be able to duplicate. Say what you will but Larry never bullshitted and you could always count on hearing one of his classic quotes.
Hang? Of course he can. He is a great great fighter and technically superb. Obviously he will lose a little speed and is 35 but he can definitely hang with any of the top 140 pounders. Who he would beat and lose to could only be established if or when we see him fight at the weight
I could see him beating everyone besides hatton, campbell and pacquiao fairly easily. Campbell would be a good fight but I think JMM takes it. Hatton is a terrible match up for JMM because of his size and physical nature. If they were both naturally the same weight I say JMM destroys hatton badly though.
judge: Levi Martinez 76-76
judge: Duane Ford 75-77 Diaz
judge: Max DeLuca 77-75 Marquez
You mean Marquez-Diaz, right?
Yeah. Thanks to all who replied. Those scores sound about right to me, I believe Marquez would have pulled ahead for the decision if the fight went the distance.
well said larry...and the lazcano fight was pre floyd sr. as the trainer....passionate fans want a hatton win that night
I understand what you're saying but I really believe the same as other posters said: Passionate fans want whoever is the best man that night to win.
I think there are about an equal number of fights for whoever wins. The one difference being Mayweather. Maybe some of you won't agree but based on the first fight I can't see Hatton beating Mayweather, especially at 147 where the fight would take place. Mayweather vs Pac however is an interesting fight from many different angles. p4p #1 vs former p4p #1, etc
To the poster who speculated Mayweather vs Pac may end up being like Tito vs Oscar, I think there is something to be said for the historical importance of the fight and just seeing who the winner will be and at times these factors can make up for a fight not being that exciting. Just my opinion.
that was morales last great fight he mixed it up in that fight brawled and boxed.
To me that was his Greatest Win because he beat a Prime Pacquiao it was a great fight both guys went back and forth.
That is a Win to cherish.
It already cemented Morales over Barrera, and Marquez to me.
Morales really fought an amazing fight that night, probably the last time we saw his true greatness.
People also tend to forget that amazing 12th round when Morales switches to southpaw just to brawl with Manny because he thought he had the fight locked up; it's those kind of moments that made Morales my favorite fighter of recent times. I still get goosebumps when i watch the post fight interview Larry Merchant does with him after that fight and Merchant asks him why he did that and Erik just says "did you like that?" and Merchant says "i LOVED it"
Amazing.
All that being said, please don't come back Erik, your legacy is already cemented.