Mayweather-Marquez 24/7: Pt. 2 Reviewed

“Last week on Mayweather-Marquez 24/7…” we learned playing craps make the heart grow fonder, Juan Manuel Marquez likes eating birthday cake, Mayweather still rocks classic skates among other “S*&^” that’s paid for (prior to taxes), and HBO can subtitle Spanish profanities fluently.

What nuggets will this week provide?

Enter theme music and real time recap as Marquez, in the great outdoors, is throwing rocks as he works his way up a mountain. At the peak, he screams “Dragooooooooooooooooooooooooo!”

Ooops…wrong workout.

The raw eggs, quail in this case, are there but Marquez is no Balboa. He asks for a spoon. They do their trick as Marquez breaks a speed bag with a lethal left. Power isn’t enough as trainer Nacho Beristain makes clear. “(Marquez) still needs to become a little bit quicker. His current speed isn’t yet enough to beat the best fighter in the world.”

Beristain is right of course, as Marquez has yet to post a win in two tries at Manny Pacquiao.

HBO then transitions into a tribute to the King of Pop as narrator Liev Schreiber reads, “The day began with an embrace of the archaic. It ends with an air of the futuristic.” Viewers are treated to a Marquez trip to a hyperbaric chamber where he breathes pure oxygen in preparation for battle.

Brief aside: Anyone who has ever seen Blue Velvet either just burst out laughing, got the creeps thinking about a young Isabella Rosselini and scissors, or all of the above.

Switching locales from Mexico to Las Vegas, Mayweather is working the mitts and doing sit/stand-ups among other things. Mayweather is adorned in some nice Reebok gear (this is NOT product placement!). Trainer and uncle Roger informs he doesn’t have to tell Floyd how much to train because his nephew works that hard on his own. Then he steps further, saying “(Floyd) needs one more championship to tie with the greatest fighter in the world. That’s Sugar Ray Robinson.”

A mural on the wall of great champions past is, well, it’s just cool. Seriously. Something like it should be in every man cave. “Most people don’t know s&^% about boxing,” Roger states, and then it’s a round of boxing history, again including that Robinson won seven world titles…

Author’s Note…which is true only if one counts a weak Pennsylvania claim to the Middleweight crown prior to his title win over Jake LaMotta. Robinson won the Welterweight title once and the Middleweight title five times. That’s six. But, hey, if Roger is counting Floyd’s IBF belt win over Zab Judah as a real title win, one fight after Judah lost to Carlos Baldomir in 2006, in a fight where Baldomir wouldn’t pony up a sanctioning fee, then Pennsylvania is at least as good.

As has been the case in previous Mayweather (the fighter…the family has been involved in all but one) 24/7’s, sparring is done off camera but there is a look at the aftermath. Mayweather’s sparring partner is a mess and says into the camera, “This is real blood, man. A Mexican type.”

In case anyone is wondering, Mexican blood types come in derivatives of A, B, AB, or O.

Back to Mexico City and stop motion photography indicates people move really fast there. Into the slower pace of the Marquez home, Juan Manuel is tutoring his son in math before settling in for a round of family video game Futbol. Marquez gloats when he scores…and there could be a joke here about self esteem for the kids, but those are some cute kids. Looks like a quality Pops from this side, same as Floyd last week.

Now the scene is at a family celebration with mariachi band in tow. Marquez’s wife states that her husband’s fights make her “nervous and afraid,” which is pretty logical. It’s a tough business. Schreiber recounts Marquez, and brother Rafael, are married to sisters. Juan Manuel’s wife is not alone in her nerves. At least the two seldom fight on doubleheaders; spreads the nerves around.

Must make family reunions easy to plan though.

Back to Vegas and Floyd is getting a manicure and pedicure while advisor Leonard Ellerbe watches.

Moving on.

Mayweather’s past problems with brittle hands brought Rafael Garcia, a hand wrap specialist and sixty-year veteran, into camp. A pan of photos reveal Garcia has worked with the great Wilfredo Gomez, Roberto Duran and, now, Mayweather (and, yes, Mayweather is great. How great is the argument…not if).

Garcia knows it and states, “One of the best is Floyd Mayweather.” After reviewing the process of the wrap, the camera follows Mayweather to the speed bag. He doesn’t break his but he does hit it a lot faster and more often than Marquez. Beristain is right. Marquez is going to need speed.

Might want to chase chickens.

Floyd, following training footage, throws in one of the more honest statements about what makes “Money” tick that one could hear. “I love to box. It’s in me. I fought over ninety fights for free so it wasn’t always for the money. I don’t know nobody else who’s not hungry for an eight-figure payday.”

If anyone reading knows such a person, run.

Beristain is watching footage of Mayweather and Jose Luis Castillo to prepare, noting Juan Manuel Marquez “is different from most Mexican fighters; he’s an excellent counterpuncher. He improvises brilliantly with great results.” So why watch a fight against as classic a Mexican fighter as there could be? A glimpse into why is exhibited in the gym as Marquez spars and Beristain is read saying something about how more than two shots messes with Mayweather’s rhythm.

Off camera, Mayweather is taking notes as basically the entire fight strategy against is him is laid out.

Then…

…an empty glass…

…Marquez picks it up…

…heads to the john…

…comes back with a cup of yellow…

…drinks it…

Are you freaking kidding? Marquez is not lost at sea or anything, right? The gym is landlocked, correct? Marquez explains this disturbing scene, something about vitamins.

Dude, go to GNC!

At least we know exhaling mightily in the clinches is part of the fight strategy.

By the grace of (insert deity), Floyd Mayweather Sr. skipping rope to the Four Tops is on screen. He tags off to Jr. and Sr. gets served! Father and son compare muscles, virility, and their past squabbles are discussed before discussion of Sr.’s chronic lung disease and the timeliness of reconciliation. Even recognizing the nature of the show to manipulate audience emotional response, it certainly feels like a genuine outcome versus one forced for cameras.

A closing montage plays with training stuff and ‘fighting to make life better’ platitudes…

Cue credits.

Final Thoughts: Week two was an improvement on the first as Marquez’s personality got more interesting. Fans got a deeper look at the psychology of his training than has been the case in other of version of this hype show. One thing is certain: piss drinking will get people talking.

The problem is, there is still little to talk about with the fight. What are these guys fighting for? Why does this fight matter? It’s not especially conveyed here.

Mayweather is being shown in a much more positive light in this version of 24/7 than in others, meaning his often self-assumed role as ‘villain’ isn’t coming through. He’s still talkative, but less smug. Even last week, his usual braggadocio was done more with a wink than a scowl.

A less smug Mayweather could mean less incentive for folks who might pay to see him lose. Something Mayweather has shown he knows, Muhammad Ali knew in another time, and pro wrestling has known forever, is people will pay more to see someone they dislike lose than to see someone they like win.

Until this show conveys why the smaller Marquez CAN win (and most serious fight followers assume he can’t and are vocal about it), and until Mayweather turns up the full force of personality that makes many want to see him lose, 24/7 is not selling the fight strong enough.

And make no mistake. This is a fancy commercial. That’s all. The job is a hard sell even if it’s not bad T.V. at the same time. Grade: B

Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com

Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=22047

MARQUEZ DRINKS PEE FOR VITAMINS?

Reports indicate that Juan Manuel Marquez practices “urotherapy”. He drinks his own urine.

Nothing wrong with that. After all it’s a free world and one can drink his own urine if he elects to do for whatever reason.

In certain parts of the world, this practice is known as “Amaroli”. It is related to the practice of yoga.

Reports quoted Marquez as saying “urine has plenty of vitamins and why not drink them again instead of wasting them”?

Well, I wish Marquez has better reason than that for his unusual practice.

From my classes in physiology many years ago, I learned that some vitamins we take in as part of our diet, either from the food itself or from the vitamin tablet supplement we might have taken are excreted through the urine because the body can only take so much.

Therefore, drinking urine “so the excreted vitamins will not go to waste” really does not cut it. They will be excreted again because the body has enough already.

So, where then is the beneficial effect of those vitamins?

Purely psychological, perhaps?

Unwittingly, Marquez’ practice of urotherapy may have some practical beneficial effects for him.

Urine contains melatonin, a hormone that is produced by a small gland in the brain. Melatonin helps regulate our sleep and wake cycle. Therefore, for Marquez who spent most of the day in hard physical training, the melatonin, at the end of the day, may help him get a good night’s sleep.

Urine also contains other hormones like estrogen which stimulates ovulation in women and sperm production in men.

But sperm production at the moment should be far from the mind of Marquez. He is in deep training for one of the biggest, if not the biggest fight of his life. Sex can wait for some other occasion.

Urine also contains urea a well-known anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral agent. Therefore, it may be keeping Marquez from getting sick. Perhaps a preventive health maintenance of some sort against such things as a simple sore throat.

Urine also contains glutamine a by product of the liver breakdown of urea. It is known for its ability to strengthen the immune system

As revolting as it may be to certain people, drinking urine may not be all that bad. Urine is a blood by-product that contains 95% water. Although it contains some waste products, it is not toxic and therefore can be consumed.

When consumed, urine goes through the digestive system were it is sorted out . The good useful ingredients are recycled and toxins eliminated.

It is in fact the elimination of the toxins that may be beneficial to Marquez.

It is said that when the toxins reach a certain level, they stimulate the intestines resulting in bowel movement and elimination of these toxins as well as other waste products like feces.

Therefore, Marquez’ urotherapy may induce bowel regularity helping him keep a healthy body.

Urine also contains an enzyme called urokinase which is a vasodilator. It is like nitroglycerine in its ability to strengthen the bloodstream from the arteries to the heart muscle itself. It is no secret that a strong heart is needed to take the physical stress of boxing.

Since Marquez is into “urotherapy”, I suggest that he might as well maximize it.

Perhaps, he can also use his urine as a face wash. Urine has chemicals that can help smooth and moisturize the skin.

Really now!

Well, for the skeptical readers, I suggest that you check-out the labels of some of the facial beauty products your girl friends, wives or significant others use on a daily basis.

Particularly those from Europe. They contain urea ingredients from human, cows or pigs.

Finally, urine may have some valuable components that may be useful. But does that mean that “urotherapy” could be routine valuable component of boxers’ training regimen?

Personally, I do not believe so because there are no authentic medical information validated and collaborated by independent research to justify it. The most supporters of the procedure can offer are “anecdotal”. But how credible are those claims when researches to authenticate them are at best difficult. After all, who would like to participate in urine drinking spree?

Got urine?

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-27087.html

HBO Boxing's 24 / 7 on its last legs?

HBO Boxing's once popular 24 / 7 series seems to be at the end of its shelf life. The second of the four - part series on the September 19 Mayweather vs. Marquez fight ran last night.

I don't know if it's this particular fight or the particular fighters, but the 30-minute show barely held my interest

What is clear is that the Michigan Mayweather family members need the English subtitles more than the Mexican Marquez family.

The remark that Juan Manual Marquez drinks his own urine while training probably wouldn't have merited much shock value if the show weren't so boring.

The snappy music, excellent narration, photography and short attention span needed could keep the show running for ages, but unless there is something new to say or anyone other than the Mayweather's involved, I'm ready to move on with my life.

If 24 / 7 is to continue at the pace of expected Mayweather wins, we'll have to contend with this through this fight and through a Mayweather - Pacquiao fight.

Unless the Mayweather's strike oil or hit a power ball lottery, I don't see any sociological reasons to watch this show when the Mayweather's star. This is because there is no growth of the characters. Unless you just happen to like it.

There is no accounting for taste. No pun intended.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-11372-Dallas-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m9d6-HBOs-247-on-its-last-legs

Juan Manuel Marquez plays lead in Urinetown as 24/7 plot sickens

I'm charging HBO's 24/7 fight hype program with a serious TMI violation. The second episode of the Juan Manuel Marquez-Floyd Mayweather hype show just delivered too much information as to a unique training habit of the Mexican ringmaster.

Maybe you missed this soporific episode so I will give you a couple of clues.

If Juan Ma takes up acting, other than at press conferences where he bitches and whines about "losing twice" to Manny Pacquiao, he will have to be in the off-Broadway hit which moved to the main strand.

The name of that play was not "You're In Town," rather it was the more not for the squeamish "Urinetown."

Or, to put it another way, you might label the 36 year old Marquez as Golden Boy's Golden Shower Boy.

Come on folks, it's not me who is the Kinky Firedman here, it's the otherwise seemingly normal family man Marquez revealing to and demonstrasting for HBO how he likes to haver heaping helping of his own urine after a hearty workout.

I've heard of protein shakes but this is ridiculous. Now we know, I suppose, why Marquez gave Pacman such a hard time over 24 rounds and why, you will pardon the expression, why he was "pissed offA" about getting a draw the first time and losing a nip and tuck verdict the second.

Or, given his urine drinking habit, should I say a cut and snip decision?

Earlier in the program HBO had shown Marquez snorting freshly laid quail eggs in the rarefied mountain air of 14,000 foot Toluca and I had no problem with that fowl activity so to speak.

As far as the salutary effects of drinking down your own urine, what I thought was a waste product, I will have to check with the world renowned expert on such matters, Dr. IP Daley, who is based in Kidney, Pa.

More on that later if you're not revolted already.

Just to show how thin the 24/4 plot is getting with these less than fascinating main characters, JMM and Money May, you know the plot is not thickening when the script and video is reduced to first the quail egg chowdown and then the urine drinking.

My capsule review of Episode 2 (with two desultory programs to follow, is this (more on the show to follow in another article, of course, would be a mere three words:

The plot sickens.

Or, as the sign over the pool out at Don King's Orwell, Ohio, training camp reads:

PLEASE DO NOT P IN OUR OOL.

Or, as they say at Casa Marquez in Mexico City, waste not, want not.

Haven't they ever heard of Gatorade in Mexico?

Maybe Juan Ma is creature of habit and this goes back to when he was a pobrecito.

In Mexico City, the rich people have a canope over their luxurious beds.

The poor people have a can of pee under their beds.

Good taste will not permit me to discuss this matter any further.

I'm used to hearing about revenue streams for big fights and PPV TV but urine streams?

Watch it with the TMI, HBO.

This tidbit should have been on a need to know basis.

Or should I say a need to go basis?

(mlcmarley@aol.com)

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m9d6-Juan-Manuel-Marquez-plays-lead-in-Urinetown-as-247-plot-sickens

Marquez practices 'urine therapy,' Pacquiao has anting anting

HBO's second episode of Mayweather vs. Marquez 24/7 disclosed lightweight boxing champion Juan Manuel Marquez's practice of "urine therapy." During training, he drinks his own urine.

Now, why didn't I think of that one? After years of playing organized and team sports, not once had the idea of chugging my own pee been a desirous undertaking. Now, I can just hear frat guys chanting "chug, chug, chug . . ."

Now Marquez and Vitali Klitschko could win thousands of dollars by being contestants on the show "Fear Factor."

"The Bitter Science"

The rationale behind this practice is to recycle one's vitamin intake instead of, as Marquez stated, "wasting them."

Juan Manuel Marquez, and apparently Vitali Klitschko, may be responsible for having the "sweet science" renamed to the "bitter science."

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-4514-Houston-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m9d6-Marquez-practices-urine-therapy-as-does-Vitali-Klitschko

HAS FLOYD MAYWEATHER DONE HIS HOMEWORK ON JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ?

Many common folks in our fine sport don't know who JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ, 50-4 {37 KOs} is - thus, the weightiness of his match-up with FLOYD MAYWEATHER (on September 19th) is de-valued.

Of course, it would be pretty tough not to know who "Pretty Boy Floyd MAYWEATHER" is -even after his absence from the ring for nearly two full years.

In fact, the only judge who has ever voted against MAYWEATHER winning a unanimous decision in a fight is Tom KACZMAREK, who gave a ridiculous nod for DE LA HOYA in that fight. Every judge in every one of Mayweather's fights has penciled him as the winner, every one that is except Kaczmarek in his ruling in the De La Hoya-Mayweather encounter. -Makes no sense-

Simply speaking, Floyd Mayweather is a phenom.

So, almost 24 months after nearly decapitating RICKY HATTON - "Pretty Boy" Floyd is taking on, in my opinion, by far the toughest challenge in the Lightweight division: JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ.


~~~~~~~~

Here's a brief bio on Marquez:

> He lost his first fight by DQ.

> He won his next 29 fights in a row.

> His next loss was a very controversial one against my old-school adversary FREDDIE NORWOOD. Most observers thought Marquez won the fight.

> He won his next 13 fights in a row before fighting a DRAW with MANNY PACQUIAO.

(Was knocked down 3 times in the first round by PACQUIAO yet, came back to outbox PACQUIAO the rest of the fight).

> Traveled to Indonesia 3 fights later to face 36-0 CHRIS JOHN ~and most likely would have won~ had he not been deducted points by a hometown referee, surrounded by hometown judges in the last 2 rounds.

> Lost a very controversial split decision in the rematch with PACQUIAO.

In all fairness - with just a few more nods by the judges in some disputable circumstances - JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ could be sitting at 54-0. Yes, he's that good.

Although CHRIS JOHN is fighting on the same card, Marquez will have to deal with him on another night.

Let's hope it comes to this.

~Ricky Ray Taylor~

Source: http://www.braggingrightscorner.com/taylormayweathermarquez090509.html

Mayweather vs Marquez 24/7 Episode 2 Video HBO