Can Marquez humble Mayweather?

By Phil George: Floyd Mayweather Jr. could be underestimating Juan Manuel Marquez in his September 19th fight. Many people are writing off this durable Mexican fighter, making Mayweather the considerable favorite. Is this justifiable? Marquez has humbled Cuban Joel Casamayor and the “Baby Bull” Juan Diaz in his last two fights, which is proof enough that he is one tough cookie. In his two huge fights with Manny Pacquiao, Marquez proved that he has the natural ability to adjust in fights, a quality which all champions possess.

Marquez fought a smart fight against Casamayor in September 2008, stopping him late in the 11th round. And Diaz thought he could go to war with Marquez, but was stopped after running out of gas in the 9th. Then we have Manny Pacqiao, who has not rushed to give Marquez another shot at him. Could it be Marquez is somebody to be avoided?

This is one dangerous fight for Mayweather. Marquez has a great chin, is a great counter puncher like Mayweather, and knows when to change his tactics. The more I think about this fight and Marquez’s attributes, the more I realize he has the ability to give Mayweather big problems. Both these fighters like to counter punch. The problem being this could make for a slow, cagey fight, both fighters trying to quietly score points forcing the other to go out of their comfort zones in the late rounds.

If Marquez can keep using that jab of his to score points and force Mayweather to be a little too ambitious in the late rounds, Marquez could well steal the fight. Could Mayweather’s relative inactivity as of late taken that edge off him? Marquez has certainly kept himself busy. Perhaps Manny Pacquiao will indeed have to face his old rival once again, and Mayweather’s questionable p4p champion title been decided, avoiding fighters like Paul Williams, and Antonio Margarito has to be questioned.

Source: http://www.boxingnews24.com/2009/07/can-marquez-humble-mayweather/