RANDOM THOUGHTS:
* The true PFP champ is Juan Manuel Marquez. This diminutive warrior won more rounds and landed more punches against Manny Pacquiao than vice versa. As the late Senator Moynahan once famously said, “you are entitled to your opinion but not your own set of facts”. And facts can be stubborn things. The second war between these sluggers was more controversial in its decision than the first epic battle. What makes this point significant are two factors. The last bout featured a 35 year old pugilist and a champ supposedly more skilled than ever before. The man in his mid-thirties, an age considered advanced to ancient in the sub-160lb range, was Mr. Marquez. The man with years of additional Freddie Roach tutelage was the Pacman. Please understand that I have tremendous respect for the ever-exciting Pacquiao; however, Marquez was victorious twice against him no matter how you keep score. NOTE: for those of you who read my article in May, my PFP determination may seem like a reversal of opinion. It is! The reason is that I have since learned more about JMM’s training regimen in high altitudes. To see video of such a workout is truly impressive. Furthermore, when comparing the Marquez of 2009 with the Marquez of 2000, there is little, if any, sign of physical erosion. The reflexes, power, stamina and skill are in copious supply. One other point, did I hear correctly that Freddie Roach, who I also admire greatly, assert that Manny P is so improved now that he could stop Marquez in 3 rounds or less. This I believe he said in the post-Hatton fight interview. I am not a betting man…but this is one bet I would gladly accept. Can anyone picture Marquez getting pummeled to the point where he could not answer the bell for round 4? Marquez is like the Hawk, Aaron Pryor, you can knock him down but then you pay a severe price for doing so. Picture Pryor landing on his butt. He gets right up and goes wild. No need for a standing eight. JMM is the same type of fighter. When you rattle his cage with a supine producing shot, you further heighten the primal instinct to punch harder and more often. In fact, I predict that Marquez will outwork and outpoint Mayweather in September. By the way, this is another altered opinion. Then he will prevail against MP in a classic slugfest where we will see both fighters dropped. WWIII will resemble Foreman-Lyle albeit with more action and jaw-dropping handspeed. This is easy to visualize as these combatants bring out the best in eachother and will leave it all in the ring. In short, MP is 30 going on 31. JMM is 35 staying at 27. The ultimate contest of physiology is boxing and a good young man will always triumph over a good older man when skill and will average out to be roughly equal. Forget chronology. Marquez is the superior fighter because of superior conditioning.
* Sugar Ray Leonard once described Mike Tyson as “the ultimate killing machine”. Perhaps. A heavyweight champ should satisfy this description. For many people, Iron Mike was easy to label this way because of how he annihilated his opponents. Brutal k.o. after another. Often within the first three rounds. Thrilling to witness but begging one question. Were Tyson’s wins a product of weak competition? What great fighter did Mike defeat in his prime? Not Michael Spinks for he was an excellent light-heavy but really just a puffed up 175 pounder. He looked thin and Tyson pointed this out when he said he has no fear of Spinks because he could see his ribs. In reality, Spinks’ status as a champ was questionable as many believe he did not convincingly defeat a 36 year old Larry Holmes. Sure, becoming a champ at 20 is quite an accomplishment. Turning Trevor Burbick’s legs to rubber was a unique sight. But men bigger than Tyson such as Dokes and Tillis who fought to win, not just survive, proved to the boxing community that Tyson was a mere mortal. And on 2/11/90, in Tokyo, James “Buster” Douglas emphatically proved in round 10 that Mike Tyson could be stopped. A 40 to 1 underdog thumped a champ from start to finish.
Round 8 saw the future champ go down from a devastating uppercut. But to his credit, Buster got up and luckily for him the round promptly ended. The reason I mention round 8 is the controversy surrounding whether Douglas received more than a ten count from the referee. Having seen the replay about six times, I can safely say that Buster was up at nine. Too bad for Douglas that his reign was short-lived; however, the man who wrested the crown was a deserving and worthy champ named Evander Holyfield. And the reason I mention Holy’s name is to implore him to retire. Please Evander! Even if you need a paycheck you must quit stat. You still look like a granite sculpture…the problem is you now fight like one. Age has tarnished your reflexes and speed.
* I want to commend everyone who contributes to 15rounds. The site is nicely formatted and the writing is excellent. I also want to thank my friend of 30 years and fellow contributor, Adam Berlin, for recommending this forum to me. Adam is an author and award-winning writer who inspired me to write. His insights have improved my contributions to boxing commentary. I look forward to his future pieces and suggestions as well as the continued good work of all who make this venue a must read for the Sweet Science. Marc Abrams, last but not least, kudos for your professionalism and vision!
* Feel free to question or criticize me as you wish. My ego is Margarito-like in its ability to shrug off a battering. Before learning about 15rounds, I wrote for another site where I received poignant feedback spanning the globe. Some positive, some not. What was innocuous to me was controversial or inflammatory to others. My intent is not to agitiate but to stimulate open debate or to simply inform. With that said, it is rewarding to know that readers from multiple continents felt compelled to take the time to respond to my journalistic attempts.
* Time to stop…my wife has me painting the ceiling in our bedroom. I told her it would be done by 2:15. It is 3:00. And I am re-reading the “Art of War” and promised myself I would be done yesterday. What is wrong with this picture?
P.S. my wife is a huge boxing fan who watches as many fights as she can. Loves the action at the Blue Horizon and secretly wants to one day become a cutman. Or should I say “cutwoman”? Talk about shattering glass ceilings.
That was Beautiful…
Very Nice Read.
I like the comparison between Marquez and Pryor.
“Everyman has the right to his opinion but he has no right to be wrong in facts.”
-This is an opinion … I have no argument with your article, only light comments.
“You are entitled to your opinion but not your own set of facts”.
-I had never set facts against Manny’s opponent (or game), but I have had so many opinions against the latter which became FACT. Come Night of their 3rd fight and the idea of Freddie hopingly, will turn out to be a fact.
“Can anyone picture Marquez getting pummeled to the point where he could not answer the bell for round 4?“
-Me and the commentators of their first bout…We almost saw that in the FIRST round of their first Bout!
“Marquez was victorious twice against him (no matter) how you keep score.”
-The Judges Scoring system is the most legitimate and foremost. And they put Manny to be the Winner in his ALL encounters versus Marquez (Second Fight issue is presumed to be known by the writer). This was (the matter) how the AUTHORITY scores the fights. However, if you preferred to set Marquez to be the victor in their meetings, —that is very much OK. By the way, there are so many PACfans over Marquez fans out there who have also their own scoring systems that will gossip “Manny definitely won the two fights”.
“I am not a betting man…but this is one bet I would gladly accept.”
-There are more willing Manny’s FANS that will bet against you—stating that “Manny will beat Marquez in TWO Rounds”.
“Marquez is the True PFP Champion.”
You should not say that when a boxer won more rounds and had thrown/landed more punches against his competitor he is now the better
If Marquez’ training is truly impressive for you may I ask how do you evaluate the training regimen of Manny? Good?
“Marquez is like the Hawk, you can knock him down but then you pay a severe price for doing so.”
-Truly Manny paid severe price in his first and second encounters against Marquez but in the THIRD I dare not to believe this statement because all I can imagine is that Marquez will catch many hooks.
In fact, I predict that Marquez will outwork and outpoint Mayweather in September.
-Yeah, I also picture that.
As the author stressed, “a FACT IS a FACT! We CANNOT SET our OWN FACT”.
The first bout is a DRAW and the second is NOT a DRAW, this is a fact.
I only see this article as SIGN of burning Desire for the ultimate battle of these two great warriors.
Good article.
Damn David! You keep on “altering” your opinions! Do you ever make up your fucked mind? So what’s next? Ahh, never mind.
great piece david on marquez. i have seen the fights multiple times, and marquez overwhelmingly got the best of pac in 24 rounds. hope they fight 3rd match. i will be in vegas in sept. rooting for jmm against gayweather, but i see a very difficult task. rather see jmm vs. pac III….