|
|
True, Pacquiao had an outstanding opening round, and Marquez was clearly unprepared for the pressure the visibly smaller man brought to the ring. Marquez, however, was able to regroup, and by the end of the fight had won the vast majority of rounds.
|
|
Using his lead foot and longer punches, Marquez kept Manny at the end of his shots all night. He didn't allow himself to deviate one bit from his game plan, and by being the definition of a professional boxer, Marquez literally ripped the fight out from under Pacquiao's feet. Both men had their respective flaws exposed and tested, but in the end it was Marquez who was more effectively able to exploit Pacquiao's shortcomings. The Pac Man is a dynamo, but he also squares his shoulders, wastes movement and is unable to follow his jab in without getting tapped back out by mid-range shots.
Of course, all of this is only true with a world-class athlete across the ring from him, but after last Saturday I think we can all agree that Marquez is nothing if not world-class. It does bother me a bit that there won't be an immediate rematch, but provided both men continue to win, a second encounter a few fights down the road would promise to be explosive. And by the way, I had the fight scored 113-112 in favor of Marquez.
PITTY-PAT-PUNCHES
Speaking of range, anyone see Julio Diaz dominate Javier Jauregui last night? Sometime in the middle rounds, Diaz landed a spectacular full-extension left hook that pretty well summed up the fight. Jauregui's a tough guy and a smart fighter, but he just didn't have the reserves to deal with the ultra-crisp punches of a seemingly-rejuvinated Diaz. It looks like the Kid is back, fresh new title and all.
I'm going to hit Brooklyn tonight and catch the return of Tiger Martinez, so I'll have to tape the stellar ESPN2 card. The Tiger's coming out to take a tune-up against Jose Quintana, but coming off a controversial draw with once-contender Nate Campbell, it's only a matter of time before Martinez gets back in with some real competition.
As for the ESPN2 offering, New England's top two middleweight prospects, Chad Dawson and Ian Gardner, will square off in an unofficial eliminator of sorts, to determine who will carry the New England mantle on to bigger and better things. Peter Manfredo Jr., who dealt Ian Gardner the only loss between the three Red Sox-country sensations, will be facing Anthony "The Bullet" Bonsante in the evening's main event.
Bonsante's a Minnesota guy, and he's trained by the Minnesota guy, Scott Ledoux. He upset Tony Ayala Jr. at 168, and I would imagine that he's dropped to 154 and travelled east intending to give Manfredo the fight of his budding career. We shall see.
Is that the "Harlem Hammer" James Butler I see decisioning Reggie Strickland out in dust country? For shame, James. Well, you know what they say: When in doubt, call Reggie Strickland. I thought Butler was out of the game for good after dropping the decision and getting stiffed on the check for his return bout in the Bronx.
Over in Merry Old England, Audley "All Promises, No Punch" Harrison notched a win over a sub, and New Jersey resident Carl Johanneson stopped Andrew Ferrans in six. Johanneson's originally from Leeds, but since relocating across the sea he's been kicking up some dust between 126 and 135. Carl only has one loss on his record, a split-decision in an absolute war against unbeaten Koba Gogoladze, and he should be back in the States and back in the ring soon.
Oh yeah...and in this writer's humble opinion, Tarver's never even gonna see it coming.
