Mayweather-Marquez: The Prefight Breakdown

After nearly a two year hiatus, the self proclaimed king of boxing is back. “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather will return to the ring September 19 to take on fellow elite fighter Juan Manuel Marquez at a catchweight of 144 lbs. The Mayweather-Marquez “Number One/ Numero Uno” billed fight will be available on HBO PPV.

For the first time since the glory days of Mike Tyson, the fight can also be viewed in select movie theatres for $15, giving hardcore boxing pundits some financial relief while making the fight more attractive to the casual fan (At these participating theaters http://www.ncm.com/FathomContent/PDF/Participating%20Theatres_MVM_0829009.pdf). Here is the breakdown of the combatants, who are not only top pound for pound fighters today but also two of the best during the last decade.

“Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather Las Vegas, NV: 39-0 (25 KO’s)• Former Super Featherweight, Lightweight, Junior Welterweight, Welterweight and Junior Middleweight champion
• One of only three fighters in boxing history to win recognized titles in six weight classes
• Universally recognized as the number one pound for pound fighter at the time of his retirement

Notable Wins: Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Jose Luis Castillo (twice), Diego Corrales, Arturo Gatti

Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez 50-4-1 (37 KO’s)• Former Featherweight and Junior Lightweight champion
• Current World Lightweight champion, simultaneously holding the WBO, WBA and Ring Magazine titles
• Universally regarded as the #2 pound for pound fighter in the world

Notable wins: Marco Antonio Barrera, Joel Casamayor, Juan Diaz, Rocky Juarez

Notable losses: Manny Pacquiao, Chris John

Speed/Athleticism:

Speed and athleticism are Mayweather’s bread and butter. His fast jab, blazing combinations and slippery movements are what make him one of the top fighters of this era. Much like Roy Jones, a lot of his ability comes from natural athletic gifts. He comes from a family of fighters and was raised on the sport, honing his craft since his days as an amateur. His jaw dropping speed and quickness are amongst the best in boxing history.

Marquez has decent hand speed but it is nothing to fancy about. Along with his opponent, Marquez is as good of a technician as there is in the entire sport. The difference between them is that Marquez relies a lot more on accurate punching, technique and ring smarts than he does speed and athleticism.

Advantage: Mayweather by a landslide.

Brett’s Take: Arguing with Matt’s notion would be like trying to tell you that Ivan Calderon could knockout Nikolay Valuev. Speed is Mayweather’s best asset; just take a look at his 2005 bout with Arturo Gatti. If Floyd can bring a fraction of the speed he put on display that night he should be able to light up both CompuBox and the scorecards.

Advantage: Mayweather

Power:

At Super Featherweight, Floyd Mayweather was a solid puncher who got rid of his opponents before the final bell. The picture perfect left hook he used to drop the late Diego Corrales remains one of the best punches I have ever seen. However, the Floyd Mayweather who now campaigns in (or around) the Welterweight division is a much different fighter. Mayweather uses his aforementioned speed and boxing abilities these days, looking more so for a unanimous decision than a knockout. Mayweather still has a solid hook and used it to put away the then unbeaten Ricky Hatton in embarrassing fashion.

While Marquez is far from the dynamite fisted Thomas Hearns, his ability to maintain good power while moving up in weight can’t be overlooked. Marquez iced his last two opponents, Juan Diaz and Joel Casamayor, two bigger men that had never been stopped in their professional careers. Many trainers will tell their fighters that speed equals power but for Marquez, his technique and accuracy is his true power. Against Casamayor and Diaz, Marquez used a combination of punches to end the fight in what was considered the least likely verdict; a knockout victory.

The issue for Marquez against Mayweather is that the contract weight is nine pounds north of the career high 135 lbs he scaled in at against Casamayor. If it wasn’t for the lucrative opportunity against Mayweather, it’s unlikely that the same man who only moved up to 135 lbs to chase Manny Pacquiao for a third bout would agree to fight this heavy. Marquez defied the odds by stopping Diaz and Casamayor but I just don’t see him carrying his power all the way up to 144 lbs.

Advantage: Mayweather due to the natural size difference.

Brett’s Take: This is where Mayweather will have some fun. He’s used to blinding opponents with his speed, but it will be interesting to see what he does when he is inarguably the stronger man in the ring. The weight is significantly higher than Marquez is accustomed to, and I fully expect it to show.

Advantage: Mayweather

Defense/Chin:

If speed is Mayweather’s bread and butter than defense is his cookies and milk. Floyd’s defensive prowess is a crucial part of his success. Mayweather’s renowned shoulder roll - which I must add Marquez’ trainer Nacho Beristain did a hysterical imitation of during the second episode of 24/7 – is yet to fail. Mayweather has literally made a living of rolling away from his opponents punches while moving his back hand side to side, helping him avoid punches while setting up a counter shot.

His outstanding footwork has also guided him defensively, as he is exceptional at moving away from punches after fighting at a close range. Mayweather also has good head movement and can weave under his opponents’ punches when necessary. Although Mayweather rates amongst the greatest defensive fighters in the history of the sport, his chin remains a question.

His exceptional defensive ability has kept him out of danger for most of his career and he is yet to take a barrage of heavy punches. Outside of two flash knockdowns (including one that saw his glove touch the canvas after a punch from Zab Judah but Richard Steele strangely ignored) and being briefly stunned by Demarcus Corely, Mayweather has been able to keep out of danger. Mayweather’s chin will remain a mystery to many (much like Roy Jones’) until he shows the ability to take hard punches. Jones was violently dropped the first time he took a solid shot and was later knocked out twice. Will the same happen if Mayweather eats big leather?

Marquez is a pretty good defensive fighter. He does a decent job of both keeping his hands up and moving his head. His chin is adequate but he has been dropped five times in big fights, four times in his two wars with Pacquiao and once against Barrera. Diaz was able to buzz him a few times but Marquez did a good job of staying on his feet.

On the contrary, Marquez took a lot of good shots against the bigger and stronger Diaz, which had me thinking half way through the fight that he lost a step. If Diaz was a heavier puncher, the fight may have very well ended differently. This is why the contract weight once again comes into effect, as Marquez will be heavier and slower against an opponent who has the fastest hands in the sport.

Advantage: Mayweather by a landslide

Brett’s Take: Not only does Mayweather have the ability to frustrate you with his defense, he has the ability to adapt to any style of offense brought forth. Marquez, however, has been to places Mayweather hasn’t and one of them is the canvas. If there is one attribute that match’s Mayweather’s speed, it’s his defense, and Juan Manuel Marquez simply cannot match Floyd in either.

Advantage: Mayweather

Toughness:

Toughness is another question that many have about Mayweather, who has never had to deal with a cut or bad swelling. Aside from a few hand injuries, Mayweather has steered clear of much adversity inside the ring. Mayweather’s toughness (of perceived lack thereof) is often linked to his first fight with Jose Luis Castillo, where he pulled out a controversial decision victory after fading in the later rounds. Mayweather had trouble with Castillo’s pressure and body punching but has virtually managed to stay out of danger since then even against bigger fighters due to his frequent movement and defensive ability.

After recovering from three first round knockdowns in the opening round of his first fight with Manny Pacquiao to battle to a draw - a fight that may think he deserved to win - Marquez has been considered a warrior. Even while dealing with bad cuts and knockdowns, he has never shied away from a challenge. His willingness to slug it out with brawlers like Diaz, Pacquiao and Barrera are perfect examples. Marquez’ refusal to lose and ability to adapt has catapulted him into an elite fighter.

Advantage: Marquez

Brett’s Take: Marquez showed me how tough he truly is in his first go round with Pacquiao. Marquez also fought that fight with a broken nose, which is one of the worst injuries a boxer can suffer. Although he is one of the most decorated champions of our era, Mayweather has never shown the world how tough he really is because his defense and skill have kept the opportunity from him. In the situations where Marquez has shown his grit, it’s uncertain how Mayweather would have reacted.

Advantage: Marquez

Experience:

Floyd Mayweather has received more criticism for who he hasn’t fought than whom he has but the Mayweather critics can’t overlook his resume. Mayweather has fought the likes of De La Hoya, Hatton, Judah, Corrales, Carlos Hernandez, Castillo twice, and Gatti among others. While his unwillingness to take on a difficult challenge against a bigger and stronger man like Paul Williams or Miguel Cotto, his resume is too good to simply ignore.

Marquez is one of the few pugilists that can’t be accused of ducking somebody. Marquez twice fought the current pound for pound king in Pacquiao, laced up against Barrera, who is a future Hall of Famer, a former unified champion in Diaz, as well as two under appreciated fighters in Casamayor, and Chris John. He also defeated tough guys Rocky Juarez, Robbie Peden and Orlando Salido.

Advantage: Mayweather by a slim margin. Both fighters have stacked resumes but Mayweather has taken on more world champions, including stoppage wins over the then undefeated Corrales and Hatton.

Brett’s Take: Both have stared down legendary faces in hostile venues and both have tasted success. It’s the shortcomings, however, that inch Marquez ahead in this category. As I said earlier, Marquez has been to the canvas, down on points, and has had to hold on for dear life, all uncharted waters for Mayweather. As Matt pointed out, it’s who Mayweather hasn’t fought that draws criticism. Marquez has fought everyone brought forth during his 55 fight pro career.

Advantage: Marquez

The Verdict: Mayweather’s size is simply too much to overlook in this fight. Marquez has a disadvantage in just about every category. Moving up in weight won’t help the same fighter who I believe would have gladly dropped from Lightweight to 130 lbs had there been an attractive fight available. Mayweather’s speed, ring generalship and defensive ability factored in with a slower, softer punching opponent give me every reason to believe he will stop Marquez. Expect Mayweather to drop and eventually stop Marquez, who will be saved by the referee from taking further punishment.

Mayweather by mid round TKO

Brett’s Take: I see Mayweather dominating in an aggressive fashion that we haven’t seen from him in a number of years; imposing his size and speed on Marquez. Even though Mayweather is a great all around talent, it’s seldom that in a big match up like this that one fighter has advantages in each the speed, strength, and athleticism categories. If speed kills it will be interesting to see what it can do when paired with pinpoint precision and masterful poise on September 19.

Mayweather by late round TKO following a corner stoppage

Source: http://www.15rounds.com/mayweather-marquez-the-prefight-breakdown-091509/