A truly fascinating match from Showtime on November 3, 2007. A 12 round WBC Super Featherweight Title fight from Tucson, AZ (Desert Diamond Center, Casino).
Pre-Fight: Marquez, the champ, is 7yrs older than Juarez but it doesn’t show. Actually, Juarez looks a little out of shape lot out of shape. However; Juarez does have some credentials to bring into the ring, #4 WBC contender, Olympic silver, and a big left hook! Factors against Marquez: recent infection in his hand and big scar on his forehead from an April car wreck. Will the hands or the scar be a factor (probably not)?
Round 1: Juarez does look overweight – not ready for the fight. Juarez is jabbing good but Marquez is throwing a variety of punches and his punching is much stronger. An accidental head butt causes a bad gash above Juarez’s eye (under the brow). Round to Marquez.
Side Note: If fight is stopped before the completion of 4 rounds it will be ruled a no decision. What should each fighters strategy be? Should Marquez hold off on throwing punches that might inflict punishment to the cut hoping that Juarez makes it past the 4th? This would allow Marquez to take advantage of the cut after the 4th and maybe get the win as opposed to the “No Decision”. What about Juarez? Should he exploit the cut and call foul for the “No Decision”? With 11 more rounds to go this might be the optimum solution given the severity of the cut. Being a warrior, Juarez, will not take this option but instead fight.
Round 2: Juarez’s punch output seems to have declined but Marquez keeps on keeping on. Marquez does seem to be throwing lots of lefts but little to no rights (is he adhering to the above strategy?). Marques throws a big right at the end of the round that connects. Round to Marquez.
Round 3: Juarez is still jabbing and scoring. Marquez is still shooting left/right combos, body shots, and upper cuts. He’s doing it all and doing it well. Another one for Marquez.
Round 4: Maybe one of the most interesting/unusual rounds I’ve ever seen. Lots of blood and Marquez is still shinning. Now for the fun part – the timekeeper rang the bell for the end of the round 60 seconds too early and both fighters go back to their corners. This has to make you wonder why did it happen? Juarez was bleeding profusely and this could have saved the fight for him. Was this intentional? I’m not surprised by anything when it comes to boxing. Round for Marquez.
Side Note: Round 4 is over and so is the No Decision option. Now what is the strategy? Juarez has to fight for the win. He has no option at this point. Marquez on the other hand should exploit the cut and go for the win. I can’t think of any other options.
Round 5: Marquez’s corner tells him to start throwing hard after the 6th round. Did I not hear this correctly? I’m sure this is what the corner said. Why after the 6th? Why not tell him this after the end of the 6th round? Strange to me. Marquez’s hand speed and power are starting to set him apart form Juarez. Juarez did have a good round but Marquez is improving as well. More blood and I expect a stoppage very soon.
Round 6: Juarez’s corner tells him the cut is bad and that he is behind. Juarez looking even more out of shape. OK, this is where I have to point out something I don’t like about Showtime. The commentators haven’t made a peep about Juarez’s apparent physical condition. I have noticed that Showtime always promotes their fights as the best of all. It’s like they are afraid to comment on items such as these. HBO and ESPN certainly seem more objective to me. It’s OK to admit rather than seemingly hide flaws. A fighter flaw or a bad fight doesn’t reflect bad on the network or any future fight. Anyway, Marquez shoots some beautiful body shots and combos. Hand speed and power still a factor and are displayed graphically with a strong left hook by Marquez. Round belongs to Marquez.
Round 7: Good round by Juarez if you don’t consider defense. Juarez scores with a few good combos but Marquez scores at will. Marquez’s power continues to push back Juarez with every power punch he throws. Marquez scores another round.
Round 8: Marquez flurries and attacks. Juarez looks tired. Interestingly the round ends with Marquez on the ropes and Juarez trying to mount an attack. Marquez is starting to find a perfect range for his devastating upper cuts. Round to Marquez.
Round 9: A descent round by Juarez including effective punching. Close round but I give it to Juarez. Maybe it’s my sympathy round.
Round 10: Juarez’s right eye now showing swelling. This was not a close round at all and Marquez dominated.
Round 11: Juarez’s corner tells him to go for the KO. Bleeding is not stopped before round is started. Juarez’s corner has done an excellent job stopping the bleeding up to this point. Kudos to the corner. My guess is that the bleeding didn’t stop this round due to the continued punishment that the eye has taken. The commentators are calling for the fight to be stopped and boy should it have been. Another brutal round by Marquez.
Round 12: Blood still streaming while Marquez throws two big upper cuts back to back. Round ends with both fighters going for it. Round goes to Marquez.
Post-Fight: Commentators mention this could be one of the most interesting lopsided fights they had ever seen and I think I agree. Obviously Marquez won. The judges scores are as follows: 117-111, 118-110, and 120-108 for Marquez.
Another interesting observation – I don’t think I saw any clinches in this fight. They did lock up once but both never stopped punching.
So who does Marquez take on next? Marquez made it clear that he wanted Manny Pacquiao. I think this fight will take place and I think it will be a great match up. Look for Pacquiao to be explosive and Marquez ready for the counter. If Marquez could somehow beat Pacquiao (which I do not predict to happen) should he give Juarez a re-match? I think so. Why not? The cut definitely had an impact on the fight but I expect Marquez could beat Juarez any day of the week.
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