Juan Manuel Marquez Retains Titles.

I must apologize fight fans. I was so excited about the Corrales vs Castillo fight, that I forgot to include a piece on the co-featured main event of the televised portion of Showtime’s fight card. Juan Manuel Marquez put his IBF and WBA trinkets on the line against the tough and tricky Colombian southpaw Victor Polo. Polo, who is coming off a highly controversial draw against Scott Harrison in which most observers felt Victor won, and, although he had a total of four losses on his ledger, had never been beaten decisively. Marquez changed that fact, staging what is the very definition of boxing and counter-punching. Juan Manuel was superb in executing his fight plan, kept the tough Polo guessing all night, and dropped his opponent down in the seventh round. The fight was not even close as the official scorecards read 118-109, 118-108, and 120-107. I scored it 118-108 for Marquez. We’ll see if Juan Manuel can secure a lucrative fight with one of the big names out there since, at the post-fight interview, he mentioned a possible move up to 130-pounds to challenge Morales or Barrera.

Writer’s Note: Just one more quick observation. It is truly an honor to see fights like Corrales vs Castillo as it is beautiful brutality on display. I chose to have family and friends over at my home. The night was fantastic and I’m sure that fight turned several casual fans into hardcore ones. I just hope that such a brutal fight does not do serious permanent damage to any of the fighters involved. That was the type of affair that can ruin both fighter’s, end their careers, and was all done for our viewing pleasure. I don’t mean to get political, but as responsible fans, tell your politicians and your congressperson to get some kind of official government boxing union where some kind of benefits are afforded to fighters, who give so much of themselves for us. I’m not sure how much each guy made last night, but I can guarantee that it was not in the millions. If one Corrales or Castillo is ruined for life, the money they made will not be enough as they are both still very young. Get involved and let’s protect our gladiators. After enjoying a fight like yesterdays, it’s the least we can do. There’s my two cents fight fans.

Sergio Martinez can be reached at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com