Marquez-Diaz: The Long Road To Lightweight Clarification

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Jake Donovan - You have arrived at your destination.

The phrase is music to a traveler’s ears after a long road trip, thankful that their trusty GPS system didn’t instead take them on a wild goose chase.

For boxing fans, it’s the unofficial theme of this weekend’s lightweight showdown between lineal champion Juan Manuel Marquez and former unified titlist Juan Diaz. The bout represents not only the division’s top prize, but also the first time in nearly four years where a lightweight fight takes place between its top two ranked fighters.

The bout headlines a televised doubleheader to air live from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas (Saturday, HBO, 10PM ET/9PM local time).

It’s only fitting that the last match between the world’s two best lightweights took place in the epic first battle between Diego “Chico” Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo almost four years ago. Castillo entered the bout having reigned as the division’s lineal champion for just under a year, but would relinquish the crown after bowing out in the tenth round of a bout universally regarded as 2005’s Fight of the Year. [details]

[warp1432]

Good article that gets me even more excited. It's a shame Campbell couldn't have stuck around, but this is great.

[Ch@mpBox@PR]

At the end It will be Valero and Diaz fro the lineal title!!!!!!!!!!

[DaTrooth]

yeah i'm really excited about this. I'm actually having a party at my house for the fight. It's the first boxing party since **** i think last years RJJ vs Tito fight. Pretty excited about this fight, too bad somebody has to lose, these guys are great fighters and well respected. Hopefully Juan Diaz practiced more than he studied this time around. I'm still amazed how he juggles his college class schedule and boxing! Shows his work ethic.

[MANGLER]

No clarification needed. JMM is the champ and the winner will be the champ, regardless of what all alphabet hardware gets involved. I can't wait for this fight.

[v.cassiusali@ya]

can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wwwwwwwaaaaaaarrrrrrr, mejicanos!!!!!!!!!

[voneric]

2 bad someone has to lose

Two of my favorite fighters are going at it this weekend and not sure who i want to win. Nate was a joke of a champion, and boring, with a gift decision against Funeka. Sure he scored two Knockdowns but what about the other 8 rounds Ali won and Nates face compared to Funeka showed who did more work and punishment. oh well just another Fight the three blind mice stole from a fighter. This weekend is going to be great, its just too bad someone has to lose but im not saying i want a draw either. The first fight with Juarez V John is a tough one to pick since no one has really seen JOhn fight. I thought Marquez beat John a few years back but got robbed by the blind mice in a very boring fight. And i expect the same boring fight when John meets Juarez this weekend because both fighters seem to be too cautious. i just hope that Juarez doesnt get a gift decision like Campbell or Berto because he is fighting in his hometown (my hometown too). Now Marquez v Diaz is harder to call believe it or not. Since both fighter are my favorites its hard to pick a winner. i think diaz has an advantage being the natural lightweight but Marquez has shown he can beat the best at any division including the P4P fighter PacMan. ITs a tossup to me But for some reason i believe Marquez will walk away the winner. I been wrong for every big fight this year so far but this time no matter who wins i will be happy, just as long as the three blind mice score the fight fair with no early christmas gifts for either fighter. Mexicans against mexican always produces great fights so i am optimistic about this weekend, i just hope im not dissappointed

[handler00]

Two of my favorite fighters are going at it this weekend and not sure who i want to win. Nate was a joke of a champion, and boring, with a gift decision against Funeka. Sure he scored two Knockdowns but what about the other 8 rounds Ali won and Nates face compared to Funeka showed who did more work and punishment. oh well just another Fight the three blind mice stole from a fighter. This weekend is going to be great, its just too bad someone has to lose but im not saying i want a draw either. The first fight with Juarez V John is a tough one to pick since no one has really seen JOhn fight. I thought Marquez beat John a few years back but got robbed by the blind mice in a very boring fight. And i expect the same boring fight when John meets Juarez this weekend because both fighters seem to be too cautious. i just hope that Juarez doesnt get a gift decision like Campbell or Berto because he is fighting in his hometown (my hometown too). Now Marquez v Diaz is harder to call believe it or not. Since both fighter are my favorites its hard to pick a winner. i think diaz has an advantage being the natural lightweight but Marquez has shown he can beat the best at any division including the P4P fighter PacMan. ITs a tossup to me But for some reason i believe Marquez will walk away the winner. I been wrong for every big fight this year so far but this time no matter who wins i will be happy, just as long as the three blind mice score the fight fair with no early christmas gifts for either fighter. Mexicans against mexican always produces great fights so i am optimistic about this weekend, i just hope im not dissappointed

Yep he was real boring when he whooped Diaz a** for 12 rds...Be for real. What a joke of a fight. Now they r fighting for 2 belts they could have had if either one stepped up and fought Campbell. U never here Diaz say he wants to avenge that lost.

[STEELHEAD]

***bets***

http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=247227

http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248031

john/juarez undercard

http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248287

[schematic24]

Yep he was real boring when he whooped Diaz a** for 12 rds...Be for real. What a joke of a fight. Now they r fighting for 2 belts they could have had if either one stepped up and fought Campbell. U never here Diaz say he wants to avenge that lost. [Quote]

If there is a joke, it's Campbell. Not making weight and then getting a gift decision. He beat Diaz last time but I'm not sure he'd do it again. I would like to see the rematch. Marquez, however, will beat Diaz and would destroy Campbell.