Boxing Preview: Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Juan Diaz

One of the most anticipated matchups in the lightweight division takes place tonight as Juan Manuel Marquez clashes with Juan Diaz for the WBA, WBO and IBO title belts at Houston’s Toyota Center with WBA Featherweight Champion Chris John making his first American appearance on the undercard as the Indonesian faces local challenger Rocky Juarez.

Marquez, 49-4-1 (36), and Diaz, 34-1 (17), both made weight yesterday, coming in at 134.24 and 143.5 pounds respectively with John, 42-0-1 (22) tipping the scales at 125.25 pounds and Juarez, 28-4 (20), at 125.5 pounds.

At 35 years of age and a natural featherweight, Mexico’s Marquez is risking a great deal in this contest with Diaz, who fought his first year as a pro at light welter and is ten years younger than Marquez.

Also, Diaz is immensely popular in his hometown of Houston and on his side he’ll have a bigger portion of the large crowd expected to pack out the cavernous Toyota Center.

Both combatants have had long and illustrious careers, with Marquez having held world titles at feather and super featherweight while Diaz was a long time lightweight champion until his loss to Nate Campbell last year.

Marquez has arguably faced the better competition, having fought pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao to a virtual standstill over 24 rounds and holding a win over Marco Antonio Barrera.

But the past will mean nothing once the bell rings in Houston and it’s anyone’s guess how this one will turn out.

Diaz will almost certainly look to press his advantages in youth, stamina and strength, hoping to force Marquez onto the back foot and into expending energy trying to hold the “Baby Bull” at bay.

When faced with Diaz’s non-stop punching style, it’s unlikely that Marquez will stand and trade as Campbell did successfully but rather he’ll try to use the ring tactically and punish the Houston native for every step forward.

Marquez has always been a patient and accurate counter puncher and no doubt Diaz’s aggression will provide ample opportunities for such an approach but the Mexico City native must conserve stamina over the twelve rounds to avoid getting into the trenches with the younger man.

If Marquez can keep Diaz at the end of the jab, he’ll outbox the former lightweight world champion but if Diaz can close the gap by wearing down Marquez and force a firefight, he’ll most likely win a close decision at the end of 12 rounds.

The co-main event sees fast-handed Indonesian Chris “The Dragon” John make his long awaited US debut and facing the WBA Feather champ will be three time super feather title challenger Rocky Juarez.

Semarang resident John has held his title nearly five years, defeating a host of Latin American and Asian challengers but does hold victories over former champions Juan Manuel Marquez and Derrick Gainer during that span.

Juarez has picked up wins over a healthy selection of class B opponents but has failed anytime he’s faced top level men such as Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez and Humberto Soto.

The Houston native only made 126 pounds twice since 2005 and has only been in the ring once over the last 15 months, for an 11th round stoppage over hard as nails Argentine Jorge Barrios in August of last year.

Juarez generally shows great patience in working his way in against opponents and once inside he excels at short punches both upstairs and down, particularly a nice left hook.

But he’ll have to take a lot of leather to gain that position against John, who takes the fight to opponents and uses a superb jab to set up lightning quick combinations.

The bout will likely go the distance with John outworking the challenger to win on points as Juarez will once again find the jump to the top class too great.