Thank God Juan Manuel Marquez didn't win today.
Just imagine the throngs of wanna-beefs lining up for a serving of quail eggs and pee soup.
Boxing experts predicted a close match between these two greats, Floyd Mayweather and Juan Manuel Marquez, in the hunt for a shot at beating Manny Pacquiao's butt. Because of Mayweather's 21-month layoff and Marquez's steamrolling from featherweight to lightweight, that should have pretty much evened the field somewhat. There's the question of stamina and a little case of rustiness on Floyd's side of things, while fans and analysts alike are wondering if Marquez's pee-drinking, boulder-throwing regimen is worth scrat. Too bad for Juanma, it wasn't worth anything. Before the fight, he was Juanma. After the fight, he looked like my Grandma (may she rest in peace, dear soul.), as he lost to a unanimous decision to impressive but not-so-exciting Floyd Mayweather.
Even from the start, the difference in built was stark. On screen, it looked like Mayweather was 2 inches broader on the shoulders than the buffed-up Marquez. He was also more ripped and shredded, with Popeye muscles to boot. It was a match of two entirely opposite fighters. Where Mayweather was bigger, stronger and faster, Marquez was the 180-degree opposite. Floyd made good ues of his reach and jab, keeping away from the hard-hitting Granma,err, Juanma. Marquez tried to establish his jab and, in the middle rounds, was actually successful in throwing combinations. But, it seemed that his power was nothing but a pinprick to Floyd as he weaved and bobbed (and elbowed, that dirty bastard!) his way out of trouble. Marquez unleashed flurries of punches and cornered Mayweather many times during the fight. However, only a few landed and an even fewer hurt totaling to a disappointing 28% punching accuracy for the Mexican #1. Known as one of the most adaptive boxers of all time, Marquez failed to exploit Floyd's body (that sounded lewd..) and instead opted to go headhunting. He failed to see that every time Mayweather twists to evade a shot, he exposes a part of his ribs which could have been a money hole for the Mexican, known for his stone-hard shots to the body. On the other hand, the US #1 followed a gameplan. Mayweather picked his shots well with a 50% punching accuracy, and was wise not to engage in free-swinging flurries with his opponent. His best shot was an overpowering left hook that floored the sturdy Marquez in the second round. It was all Mayweather after that. A win against a formidable opponent such as Marquez should put the once-remote Mayweather-Pacquiao match-up into the limelight, front and center. He performed like he was never gone at all. His speed, his power, his defense tactics were like 2 equations with three unknowns: unsolvable.
Gotta give it to Marquez for sticking around. This guy's got some heart recovering from an early knockdown and giving a heck of a fight. His heart and resolve to finish the fight was deserving of a match with Pacquiao, which was the rumored prize to this pay-per-view's winner. Swollen eye and all, he never stopped punching. He was outclassed, not because he doesn't have the skills but because he was in the wrong weight class. Mayweather looked like a natural welterweight. Marquez looked like he got stabbed with the valve of a helium tank, a blown-up, makeshift welterweight.
A lot of questions about these two future hall-of famers have been answered. Is there rust in Mayweather's game? No. Is Mayweather really an annoying, trash-talking son of a gun? Yes. Is Marquez a welterweight? Hell no. Do these two deserve a shot at Pacquiao? Yes. Does pee actually help beef up those abs? No.(Hey, if youre not convinced, you have the freedom to try it yourself.) But, the question that's yet to be answered...
Who fights Pacquiao?
*Pictures are from sports.yahoo.com
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