Originally Posted by
Kirkland Laing
On December 8, 2012, Manny Pacquiao fought Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It was the fourth time that the two men had met in the ring. In thirty-six previous rounds, Marquez had been unable to knock Pacquiao down.
Marquez had a new look when he faced Pacquiao in their fourth encounter. Having trained under the supervision of Angel “Memo” Heredia (a/k/a Angel Hernandez), Juan Manuel was sporting a dramatically altered physique. To some, even his head seemed differently shaped.
Heredia’s resume includes a stint as a steroid dealer who cooperated with prosecutors after being ensnared in the BALCO drug scandal.
In round six, Marquez knocked Pacquiao unconscious with one punch. The image of Manny pitching forward and lying face-down on the canvas lingers in the mind. He lay there for a long time.
The floodgates are open now. Whether or not Marquez used illegal PEDs, a lot of fighters think that he did. And they’ll use them to further their own ring aspirations.
Pacquiao, like Marquez, has been suspected of PED use in the past and scored his share of brutal knockouts. Neither man has ever tested positive for illegal performance enhancing drugs. But it’s a matter of record that elite fighters like Fernando Vargas, James Toney, Antonio Tarver, Andre Berto, and Lamont Peterson have. Shane Mosley never tested positive, but his name surfaced in the BALCO investigation and he ultimately admitted using PEDs. Other fighters like Evander Holyfield, Jameel McCline, and Yuriorkis Gamboa have been linked to PED use by clinic records.
As I wrote nine months ago, “PED use is more prevalent in boxing now than ever before, particularly at the elite level. Fighters are reconfiguring their bodies and, in some instances, look like totally different physical beings. In a clean world, fighters don’t get older, heavier, and faster at the same time. But that’s what’s happening in boxing. Improved performances at an advanced age are becoming common. Fighters at age thirty-five are outperforming what they could do when they were thirty. In some instances, fighters are starting to perform at an elite level at an age when they would normally be expected to be on a downward slide. PEDs offer more than a shortcut. They take an athlete to a place that he, or she, might not be able to get to without them. When undertaken in conjunction with proper exercise and training, the use of PEDs creates a better athlete. The use of PEDs is also illegal, gives an athlete who uses them an unfair competitive advantage, and endangers other fighters who are getting hit in the head harder than before by opponents.”
Thomas Hauser
PEDs: When the lawsuits come
BoxingScene caught up with Marquez’s trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain and was asked to give his thoughts on the upcoming clash.
“They’re going to find a completely different Juan Manuel Marquez than they saw against Pacquiao. Very strong, he’s gained speed. He’s dedicated to giving the Latino people another great victory” said Beristain.
Marquez isn’t exactly a spring chicken as he turns 40 years old today and is the reason why some doubt if Marquez can still be effective against a fighter like Bradley. Many think Bradley’s youth, strength and hunger will make the difference in the fight and aren’t sure if Marquez will be able to cope.
“We are trying to get a little more speed so we don’t give a chance to Bradley who’s fast. We are working on a lot of defense because when you make Bradley miss it’s like his batteries drain a bit. We intend on beating him [using] Mexican technique versus Bradley’s technique” Beristain would tell BoxingScene.
Both fighters have promised to bring their best and despite Marquez’s age, Beristain believes he’s still excelling at this stage of his career.
“He’s exceeding the level even though its odd seeing it at his age. He’s going to give you all a surprise”.
Luis Sandoval
Nacho: Marquez Will Be Very Strong, Faster For Bradley
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