Mayweather - Marquez " We Got The Winner"

By Rick Assad - Layoff Won't Hurt Mayweather Jr.- Floyd Mayweather Jr. would be considered an all-time great regardless of the era. A near perfect boxer with remarkable hand and foot speed, undefeated Mayweather hopes to push his string of victories to 40 when he faces Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday night.One thing that's working against Mayweather is that he hasn't fought in 21 months. The last time he entered a ring was December, 2007, when he dropped then undefeated Ricky Hatton in the 10th round of their World Boxing Council welterweight title match. That's a long time to be away from the sport, and there will likely be some rust early on, but if there's a man who can overcome this obstacle, it's Mayweather.The closest thing to what he's attempting would be when Sugar Ray Leonard met Marvin Hagler in a middleweight clash at Caesars Palace in April, 1987. Leonard was away from boxing even longer than Mayweather, and earned a disputed split decision. Don't be fooled into thinking Marquez isn't a legitimate challenger, because he is. A tough and tested warrior, Marquez has been involved in 55 professional fights, has come away the winner 50 times, and has 37 knockouts along the way.The loser of only four bouts, most recently to Manny Pacquiao in March, 2008, Marquez is four years older than Mayweather, and also gives away an inch in height and five inches in reach.Compared to Mayweather, Marquez is slow, and he'll have to get inside to be effective. That means if he trades punches, he's going to be in trouble. The only chance he has of pulling off a win is to keep away and attack the body if and when it becomes available. The fight won't go the scheduled 12 rounds unless Mayweather wants to carry Marquez.Think of it this way: If Mayweather was a baseball pitcher, he'd have a four-pitch arsenal at his disposal.Look for the fastball, you'll see the curveball. Look curve, well then here comes the slider. Look slider, and here comes the change. It's a losing proposition.Marquez is fabulous, but not against Mayweather. I see the fight ending in the 10th round.

Diane Bennett - My money goes on the "Money Man" himself Mayweather, however, I view this as a closer fight than most are predicting. Marquez should be able to use his ring experience and his body attacking ability to keep the fight close. Mayweather will try to bully Marquez and in the end Mayweather will be the victor by split decision.

Steve Hobden - Although this is a fight between two of the best P4P fighters in the world, I'm not so sure we'll see a good fight. Styles make fights and both fighters are natural counter punchers. I believe what we will witness is a fight that will be more like a game of chess than a boxing match. Marquez is a very tough and intelligent fighter but the jump up in weight could be a bit much to ask, especially when facing Floyd Mayweather Jr. Also Marquez works better against fighters who come forward as he's a real affective counter puncher and we all know that's not Mayweather’s style. I just don't think Marquez will be fast enough with the extra weight. Floyd is the bigger fighter with a wider variety of skills and sharper reflexes so I have to favour him to win. He also needs to make a statement to regain his P4P king status so I think we'll see Mayweather at his very best.
Mayweather wins by comfortable points decision.

Peter Goldthorpe- This fight has the potential to be the fight of the year, with undoubtedly two of the best P4P fighters in the world going head to head, although both fighters are counter punchers i don't think this will be an overly technical affair. However i do not see it going the distance, rather i think it will be a late stoppage for Mayweather. As i think it will be the case of who-ever fires first will lose, with Marquez likely to be the aggressor throughout in which Mayweather will counter wearing his opponent down winning alot of the rounds along the way, but both of these fighters have had successful training camp so come September 18th the world will be in for not only a great fight but an exciting occasion, one of which i am counting down the days too.

Dr. Pietro Baio DC - I'm looking for Marquez to win by knockout in the 8 rd. If the fight had been in July my opinion may have been for Mayweather. I believe the extra two months of training will have allowed Marquez to gain the extra weight yet adapt and bring his speed up to par. I don't think the extra weight will affect Marquez at all, while the lay off my have slowed Mayweather. You may be able to be fast in the gym, but time makes the body for get how to take a punch.. I do believe Mayweather will have an added pop to his punch do to the lay off which has allowed his fragile hands to heel. And finally who could beat a man who drinks his own urine and eats raw eggs. If that don't kill you it can only make you stronger.

Rota Em - Mayweather by Close Decision. Money says he is going for the KO (and I hope he does), if that is the case then I would give Marquez a puncher's chance for the upset stoppage. Keys for Money is the left hook. Marquez was dropped by those lefts in his fights with the Pacman, and then Juan Diaz showed what his could do as well. For Marquez, he's gotta keep those punches coming in bunches. A body-head combo will drop Money.

Albert Alvarez - This battle will come down to will versus skill. I see Marquez having more will than Mayweather, but I see Mayweather having better skill than Marquez. One mans heart and determination must break through and determine who in fact relly is Number One/Numero uno. To me, I feel that the size, skill, and patience of Mayweather will be what will carry Mayweather to get the nod.So there it is. Floyd Mayweather over Juan Manuel Marquez by UD.

Riz Zahid- Expect Mayweather to start off slow and shed any ring rust he had, only to come back and use his natural skills to overwhelm Marquez. I would not be surprised if Marquez is able to hurt Mayweather in this bout though, especially if he is able to get to the body like many have failed to do. However in the end, the speed may simply be too much for Marquez and expect Floyd to finish a very determined Marquez in the later rounds.
Marquez wants Pacquiao again and Mayweather wants to solidify himself as the best boxer of today. Both Mayweather and Marquez know that their opponent in this fight is a major obstacle on the path to greatness.



Cesar Zuniga - This might be the battle between two of the smartest and most versatile fighters in the game today. Both men possess the ability to adapt to another fighter’s style while the fight is going on. What makes it hard to choose a winner in this fight is that there are many intangibles that surround the fight and truthfully if this fight was two years ago I would have clearly chosen Mayweather as the victor. This is not two years ago. In fact Mayweather hasn’t fought in two years and it’s hard to say if the former P4P champ will come in with the same dominance and speed that was seen in his previous 40 fights with no signs of ring rust, a style and brilliance that leaves him in a league of his own. Marquez has been on a war path as of late. Knocking out two men, Casamayor and Diaz, that have never been knocked out before, and from proof of his training in Mexico City, which I have seen first hand, he is very confident and very focus on the objective at hand. He is however; jumping up two weight classes for this fight and the question lies will his power carry over successfully to that weight? There is no questioning his heart and tenacity, that’s for sure, but come fight night will he be just too small for Mayweather? Marquez possesses a courage that is astonishing to watch. This was seen when he got up from 3 knockdowns to push Pacquiao to an arguable draw and I feel he has gotten better. For those that feel Mayweather will walk right through Marquez and this won’t be competitive, I feel are wrong. Whatever the outcome is at the end of the fight and whoever is raising their hands at the end, I believe Marquez will push Mayweather to the end and this fight will go 12rds. There are many questions to be answered come Sept. 19th and this writer feels we are in for a great night of boxing. My Prediction: I am going with an upset.Marquez UD

Source: http://www.diamondboxing.com/newsstory.php?list=9611