OnThEGRinD BoXiNG

Wednesday April 22, 2009
by Jesse Rican

As we approach the promised return of undefeated pound for pound champion emeritus Floyd Mayweather Jr., one can’t help but wonder, has a boxer of Floyd’s calibre ever returned from an extended absence from the ring only to lose a tune up match? The question bears asking as recent announcements bring news that the negotiations are progressing between the camps of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez…and that there are few issues holding up the fight.

Firmly established as one of the front runners in the mythical Pound4Pound race, Marquez is as equally puzzling as he is crowd pleasing a choice for a tuneup fight. In an surprisingly uncharacteristic move, Floyd has decided to put his courage on display for all to see this time. As some are aware, I harshly criticized Mayweather in an article recently, demanding that if he wants to prove he’s the best he must face four boxers . I then went on to name all of the serious threats currently on the radar…well almost all. Juan Manuel Marquez’s name indeed did escape my mind, but what a great fight this one will turn out to be.

I do not think Floyd is prepared for Juan Manuel Marquez, we will see too much ring rust, and in a surprising upset Juan will take the match. In looking amazing against Juan Diaz, and earning a draw (although knocked down three times in a single round) against Manny Pacquiao, Marquez has proven himself a solid boxer who is not afraid to call out and fight the best. I’m sure fans of the sport will find it gratifying to finally see a dedicated workman like boxer such as Marquez (arguably as good or possibly better than Manny Pacquiao, who I had losing to Juan twice) getting the recognition he finally deserves. At 35 years old Marquez is going to get his big shot, and I’m sure he will take as much advantage of the opportunity as he can.

After Marquez defeated Diaz, HBO Analyst Max Kellerman asked Marquez who he would like to face next. Juan replied that Manny doesn’t want it with him anymore, and called out Floyd Mayweather Jr. Kellerman then asked Juan, “Why do you think Mayweather will come back for you?”

Marquez went on to say that he’s “The pound for pound best,” and that he respects Floyd because “He fights the best.”

There are several variables one needs to consider when sizing up this fight. Key on my mind was Mayweather’s making a statement at one point saying that he “Lost the love for the sport (If that was or is still the case, he won’t excel. Period.)” Is it possible that Floyd can be taking this match too lightly? Is it possible that after a two year absence Money Mayweather simply may not have it anymore. Maybe the day following the fight the boxing world will be talking about how he should have stayed retired, and how he is just not the same boxer as before….and his heart just isn’t in it. Is Money Mayweather making the biggest mistake of his career and taking a “tune up” fight against the wrong person? Or will he do what he does best by wiping the floor with Marquez, and silencing his critics? While Floyd is not exactly a KO boxer, he is one of the most accurate. Will the ring rust hinder his masterful timing? Will making weight be an issue for Floyd after his “retirement.” If reports can be believed that the fight is to take place at about 140 pounds, this will prove to be to Marquez’s advantage.

Anyway, I’ve never been one to shy away from a bold prediction, so at the risk of eating more crow…

Floyd comes back, and can’t shake off the ring rust. Marquez still sharp after his big fight with Diaz, shocks the world when he follows the blueprint that Castillo laid out long ago. Marquez beats Mayweather 8 rounds to 4 in this opportunity of a lifetime, and proves to be a pound for pound great (though I have him losing a rematch).

Juan Manuel will shock the world, and become known throughout all of it’s neighborhoods as Money Marquez for what will be hailed as legendary performance, for generations to come…much like will happen when Carl “The Cobra” Froch beats the “Bad” out of Jermain Taylor,

Post fight look for an article of apology written to him by Www.OnThEGRiNDBoXiNG.coM’s very own Jack Johnson Presscot, What a great read that will be.