Tweet
By Cliff Rold - Maybe we’ll never know, really, who the better man would have been on their best day. The best that can probably be discovered is who the superior man is right now, in this late moment of two legendary contemporary careers.
One is 37 and still reigning as the legitimate Lightweight Champion of the World. He might not be as good as he once was, but it’s fair to think he’s still as good on any one night as he ever was.
The other is 34, 3-0 in 2010 after nearly three years out of the ring, a rebound from the four consecutive losses that appeared to draw his curtain.
Given the descriptions, it doesn’t sound like it should amount to much.
Except…
…except the descriptions are missing names. The champion is Juan Manuel Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KO). The challenger, should the final details be ironed out for an April 9 showdown, will be Erik Morales (51-6, 35 KO).
Morales is perceived, fairly, to be well faded. Marquez is not. A one-sided loss to Floyd Mayweather two divisions higher than Marquez had any business being in 2009 came between a rousing pair of wins over Juan Diaz and a stoppage of Michael Katsidis. The first Diaz fight was the 2009 Fight of the Year; the Katsidis win was a leading contender for the honors in 2010. [Click Here To Read More]
One is 37 and still reigning as the legitimate Lightweight Champion of the World. He might not be as good as he once was, but it’s fair to think he’s still as good on any one night as he ever was.
The other is 34, 3-0 in 2010 after nearly three years out of the ring, a rebound from the four consecutive losses that appeared to draw his curtain.
Given the descriptions, it doesn’t sound like it should amount to much.
Except…
…except the descriptions are missing names. The champion is Juan Manuel Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KO). The challenger, should the final details be ironed out for an April 9 showdown, will be Erik Morales (51-6, 35 KO).
Morales is perceived, fairly, to be well faded. Marquez is not. A one-sided loss to Floyd Mayweather two divisions higher than Marquez had any business being in 2009 came between a rousing pair of wins over Juan Diaz and a stoppage of Michael Katsidis. The first Diaz fight was the 2009 Fight of the Year; the Katsidis win was a leading contender for the honors in 2010. [Click Here To Read More]
Comment