There are two fights you need to see by the end of this year. It's simple. It's basic. If you're a boxing fan, you don't need me to tell you. If you like seeing good fights, the same answer applies. Greatness is goal few achieve and the endless realm of possibility is the canvas on which four fighters will try and define who the best boxers in the world are. Four countries, four boxers, two fights this year. Miss them and you'll miss some of the most significant bouts in the last twenty years.
First on the block.... Marquez VS Mayweather.
If you've read any of the boxing posts I've written on this post or another, or if by any chance you saw me talking about this sport, you know I have opinions and I have passions. While some people rant and rave over football, baseball, basketball or whatever team sport they may love, the sport of boxing is just something I can't get out of my system.
When I see these two fighters facing each other, I have conflicting views between my heart and my brain. I might not have the knowledge of trainers who have been at this sport for more than twice my age, but it doesn't take a genius to think that the smart money is on Mayweather. Speed and defensive skills are his bread and butter and he's shown that even if you want to find him, he is the finest representative of the axiom "hit and don't get hit". His loud mouth may make him a hateable figure and brashness and money throwing does not help him one bit when it comes to saying who you are rooting for, but for 39 bouts he's come out of the ring the victor. No losses, no draws, no break. That he's never been taken out of his comfort zone is frustrating for anyone rooting against him. That he's shelved past champions past their primes or under the weather is punishing and heart breaking. The problem with Pretty Boy, a moniquer much more befitting his skills and the fact that he's rarely been bruised in a fight, is that me along with many boxing fans fail to see him take risks. The truth is that six championships are no small joke and every single time you step into the ring, there is risk. It takes months to train for a fight but just one mistake to see all that hard work come tumbling down. But Floyd is a safe fighter, something that should be admired, but is often sidelined in favor for courage even if it risks permanent brain damage. You see the list of fighters that he's fought and you can say the same for each one, he knew he could win by a landslide. Smart that may be, but inspiring? Hardly.
On the other side you see Juan Manuel Marquez, the most overlooked of the trio of Lightweight champions of his generation. While Barrera and Morales were busy making millions, Marquez was busy climbing the ladder one step at a time. While floyd was all about flash, Marquez was all about business... and business meant beating people the Mexican way, fists tight, jaw clenched and eyes and heart set on not leaving a decision to the judges. While Floyd easily outclassed every single opponent he's faced, Marquez outwilled many of his. His road to greatness comes one grueling fight after another and by beating the supposed best of each division he's decided to confront. You see the people he's knocked out and you have to be impressed. VS Manny Pacquiao, the only person to beat him officially in recent years is Erik Morales. Chalk that win up to bad game plan, bad cut and just fighting a champion on his day. The only other person to beat Manny, but not get the credit he deserves (earning a draw once and a decision loss the second time) is Juan Manuel Marquez. Joel Casamayor, a tough rugged lightweight Cuban champion suffered his first KO loss at the hands of Marquez. Juan Diaz, a fighter I saw losing against Paulie Malignaggi, suffered his first KO loss to Marquez. Both times Marquez was fighting the best of the division, both times he outgunned them. Once he was coming up in weight... and now, history repeats.
On September 19, two of the greatest boxers of all time are going to step into the ring. Smart money says bet on Floyd. He's just a smidge below his natural weight, is larger, stronger, younger, heavier, rangier and faster. Marquez for his part looks solid coming up in weight, but it's in the ring where we'll see just how solid he is, for he faces a man who is capable of so much... but has rarely put everything on the table. That's the difference between them, because if you focus on the similarities, you see two fighters who train harder than most people would train in a lifetime. You see two fighters dedicated to their craft. You see two fighters that are hall of famers. The differences outside the ring are obvious: brash vs confident, cocky vs humble, I deserve the world vs I'm going to earn the world. But the reality is that the most important difference is in the ring. Floyd Mayweather has often said he's willing to die in the ring... which is funny, because his fights never feel that way... now Marquez? He seems even willing to die during training.
Who will win? Well my mind and my heart are torn at the seem but I'll sum it up like this:
May the best man win, because I don't want the better boxer to.
Cheers
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