Sept.19th. One returns. One is ready. “Marquez vs. Mayweather....Long time coming”
Juan Manuel Marquez - the consummate boxer. A combination of slick counterpunching and defense and possessed of a potent and well placed punch. It doesn't hurt that he has a world-class chin too (He has earned many a victory against the world's best)! This fight is intriguing because both fighters are well-matched and at similar points in their careers...this is truly a fight for supremacy and fistic legacy…for the love of the sport.
....A picture of fights past that brings up a very possible similar outcome – Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. A highly contested bout, an extremely close fight. Oscar took the fight to Mayweather all night long and landed many well-placed shots. Mayweather defensively posturing the majority of the bout as Oscar closed the gap easily and connected. It was a jab-and-grab fest for most of the evening when Mayweather's distance got taken away. And a stiff jab and a straight right-and-run do not make a victory or a championship night. Who knows...?...I remember Jose Luis Castillo vs. Floyd Mayweather I...I think everyone saw a different fight that night as well...De La Hoya/Mayweather-a dominant boxer's performance by Oscar...but who knows...we will see if “’Money’ talks” or if “fistic currency” will win the night.
“Escobedo vs. Katsidis...interim WBO lightweight title”
I know both these fighters. I have seen both spar / work endless rounds. This is a textbook matchup of boxer vs. puncher. Vicente Escobedo has fast hands and is a ring technician. Michael Katsidis always comes in great condition as his game is hellbent on aggressive heavy-handed boxing. The difference between these two is their ring age which is counted in how many wars they have had and how their styles have cut into their fight life tank. Escobedo has not had as many brutal encounters in the ring as Katsidis. He is a defensive-minded boxer whereas Katsidis tends to take a few as he comes in to be able to drop the hammer on his opponents-and it's a heavy one at that. Both have world-class experience to draw from (Escobedo more recently won a unanimous decision against Carlos “El Famoso” Hernandez-a former gym mate of mine- that was a great preparation for this fight. He knows exactly what to expect) and this one could be a short night depending on how and who enforces their game more dominantly...Escobedo should, at this point in his career, be able to tame this bull rush.
“Juarez vs. John...WBA super world featherweight title”
I was wondering when this one would happen. Chris John has been on the campaign trail for awhile for this one. I hope he spent as much time in the gym preparing for this fight as he has been taking pictures and cavorting with ambassadors and California state luminaries. If Rocky Juarez is to become a champion again, this is the night for him. In their last fight, Juarez had John shaken and missed his opportunity to end it. Rocky maybe rusty. But he has had the encounter and should have learned a lot about what he needs to do to take out John...and we have all seen Juarez take many an opponent out cleanly and quickly with that short left, his work inside upstairs as well as downstairs will set a tone. He knows how to finish. In the same breath, John also has the advantage of the knowledge gained from their first meeting. I think John will play the distance and try to keep Juarez at the end of a punishing jab and straight right...a war of wills determines this one.
E-mail Margherita at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
