Marquez just can’t catch a break…
By Rui Zheng
Last night was supposed to be Juan Manuel Marquez’s long awaited redemption. He had been waiting 4 years to take on one of boxing’s biggest stars in Filipino sensation Manny Pacquiao. He finally got his chance last night.
It was going to be a culmination of everything that Marquez had worked so hard for throughout his career. Marquez had to overcome a devastating injury that prevented his entry into the professional ranks for years. He had to overcome a questionable loss against a wily fighter in Freddie Norwood when Marquez received his first title shot. He had to overcome being ducked for what seemed forever by boxing’s biggest featherweight star in Naseem Hamed. He had to overcome being paid peanuts in comparison to his Mexican compatriots Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, both of whom Marquez believed were inferior fighters.
Marquez was once at the top of the featherweight division after having unified the WBA and IBF titles. He made one of the greatest comebacks in recent history by coming off the canvas three times and outboxing Manny Pacquiao en route to a draw. The general consensus of boxing writers and fans had regarded Marquez as one of the best fighters in the world. However when no promoter had made a bid for an IBF mandatory defense for Marquez against Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym, Marquez was stripped of the title. Having been the WBA “Super Champion”, Marquez was also stripped of the WBA title. One of the most skilled fighters in the sport was relegated to travel to Indonesia and challenge WBA titleholder Chris John in his hometown. Needless to say, Marquez lost a decision.
But that was all in the past. March 15th 2008 was going to change all that. Marquez was going to put on the performance of his life and outbox Pacquiao and reclaim Mexican glory after Pacquiao had destroyed Barrera and Morales twice. Marquez was ready to seize the opportunity.
As the fight began, Marquez was boxing smoothly for the first 2 rounds, avoiding any major shots from Pacquiao. However in the 3rd round, Marquez was dropped and it appeared that he might have been stopped had it not been for the bell. The dream that he envisioned was fading away, however Marquez came back and resumed the precise counterpunching that had earned him the reputation as being one of boxing’s best pure boxers. Back and forth the fighters battled. Both men were cut, fatigued, and they both looked like they had just gone a few rounds with a grizzly bear. After a tremendous fight by both individuals, I had scored the fight 115-112 in favor of Marquez. I had thought he had pulled out a close but clear victory. The stage was set for a fairy tale type ending where Marquez, on the biggest stage of his life, would be crying tears of joy with his arms raised in victory. Unfortunately, after the decision was read, the only view we got of Marquez was of him turning his back towards the camera, acknowledging another curveball that life as thrown in his direction.
In some ways, last night reflected Marquez’s career perfectly. Talent-wise and skill-wise, there’s no question that Marquez has been one of boxing’s best over the past decade. But even though he was on the same level of fellow Mexicans Barrera and Morales, it was they who prospered and garnered the big paydays while Marquez was left behind. Similarly, there’s no question that Marquez is on par with Manny Pacquiao, but again it’s Pacquiao who will go on to bigger and better paydays while Marquez is deprived of his fairy tale ending and gets left behind yet again.
But then again, boxing is no fairy tale sport…
