Marquez comes through Diaz and wants Pacquiao
Veteran Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez came through the second “battle of the Juans” by defeating Juan Diaz and retaining his WBO and WBA lightweight belts with a comprehensive unanimous decision win.
After the fight the victorious Marquez dealt Amir Khan a devastating blow by claiming it is Manny Pacquiao he wants to face next and not the former Olympian. The Bolton WBA champion was in attendance claiming he wanted the winner but Marquez looks set to shun the Englishman in favour of a third outing with “Pacman”.
Expectations were high after 2009’s “fight of the year” contender between Marquez and Diaz but the rematch wasn’t quite as thrilling as the original. There were no knockdowns and Marquez largely dominated with a technical display.
Last time out Diaz started strongly before fading and being knocked out in an explosive ninth round. This time he notably held a bit back in the opening stages, in a tactical attempt not to make the same mistake. “Baby Bull” kept on his toes and moved about, but Marquez landed more punches every single round.
It was a vintage performance from “Dinamita” who looks much more comfortable down at lightweight than the ridiculous 142lbs he was against Floyd Mayweather last September. He showed his range as a counter-puncher, repeatedly catching a frustrated Diaz who tried to punch and move but fell short. It wasn’t an explosive display but was enough to really showcase how good Marquez is despite having now reached the grand old age of 36.
After the fight Marquez suggested he wants Pacquiao and now the Mayweather deal is dead it would be the most exciting one out there for fight fans. Of course the two have previous. They first met in 2004 in a highly controversial draw which many thought the Mexican had done enough to take, four years later another exciting encounter saw Pacquiao take the split decision, and again the sequel could have gone either way.
A third match could be Pacquiao’s toughest test out of the competition that is out there, but realistically, despite his good form, Marquez would have little chance of stopping the pound-for-pound king. Last time the two met Pacquiao was fighting at super-featherweight, he would be looking to have this at a catch-weight around welter and Marquez doesn’t do well when he has to get bigger.
Also since their last meetings Pacman’s ability and profile have gone out of the stratosphere, and an ageing Marquez may struggle with the sheer hand speed of the Filipino despite his technical nous.
It is a bit of a blow to the ego of Khan, who went out there to generously offer one of these two pugilists the honour of facing him. He was dealt a thanks but no thanks by Marquez who may have been wondering Amir who? Marquez is an elite level fighter rightly looking to the top guns of the sport and it should be Khan waiting for the invite, not the other way round.
Realistically Khan would be mad to take on the lightweight champ at this stage of his career and is perhaps holding himself in a false light if he thinks a former multi-weight champion the calibre of Marquez is going to be desperate to get the opportunity to get in the ring with him. Khan has the potential to get to that level but he’s not there yet and although you can admire his gall perhaps he should be looking elsewhere for his next fight.
At least if Dinamita does fight Pacquiao Khan’s stable mate can give him a ticket, and then Marquez can give him a Mexican wave from the ring.
Tags: