Juan Manuel Marquez: He’s Too Good for His Own Good.

Translation from Spanish to English by Sergio Martinez.

“I’m as good as Morales and Barrera, and just need a good promoter to get me fights against those guys to prove that I belong with the elite boxers of the world. I also want to finish my business with Manny Pacquiao because I know that I beat him.” -Juan Manuel Marquez.

“To the victor go the spoils.” “Seek and you shall find.” “Success breeds success.” These are all common things that all of us were told at one time or another by a parent, older siblings, other family members, a school guidance counselor, or a teacher. Also, we have always been told that if one works hard and is good at whatever it is that one chooses to do, one will find riches and much success. That is unless you are a fighter named Juan Manuel Marquez. “One time a close friend of mine told me that it’s a bad thing to be a great fighter with a difficult style because no one wants to face you,” said Juan Manuel Marquez from his training camp at the Beristain’s boxing gym in Mexico City. The current WBA/IBF featherweight champion is preparing to defend his titles against perennial contender Victor Polo as the chief support bout of the May 7, 2005, Showtime fight card with the main even being Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo. No disrespect to Victor Polo who is a solid, awkward southpaw contender, but with wins over such fighters as Robbie “the bomber” Peden (current IBF super featherweight champion); Manuel “Mantecas” Medina (five time world champion), Derrick “Smoke” Gainer (former WBA featherweight champion), and a draw in 2004 with Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao that was a fight of the year candidate, shouldn’t Marquez be fighting the Pacquiao’s, Morales’, and Barrera’s of the boxing world? “I’m not sure why all of the top fighters avoid me. I guess that they know that I’m a tough fighter that will give them hell as I proved against Pacquiao. I won that fight without a doubt, but I was robbed. All the fighters know that they are going to pay a heavy price if they step into the ring with me. All I can do is continue to work hard, prepare myself, and I’m here to face any of the top fighters in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions. I’m a great fighter, with a very technical style that others just can’t figure out”

Do not miss the rest of this exclusive interview with one of the finest fighters in the world, unified featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez.

That difficult style is seen by most of the boxing public as the problem with Juan Manuel as his counter-punching tactics, and defensive minded approach often provides boring fights. Without the proper dance partner that is always on the attack and putting pressure on Marquez, he tends to lay back and win fights by purely boxing. Wouldn’t it behoove him to alter his style and be a little more aggressive and crowd pleasing? “I don’t think so. A fighter’s style is made and perfected over the years and can not be changed that easily. Styles makes fights, and one needs to do what works best. Besides, it’s what has lead to winning multiple world titles. After I beat Polo, things are going to change for me. I’m going to get the top fights and bigger purses I deserve.”

And those “top fights” and “bigger purses” are the responsibility of Marquez’s promoter, Top Rank, who the pugilist blames for his shortcomings. “Top Rank has held me back and not given me the promotional attention that I deserve. I blame them for me and my brother, Rafael’s, careers not being where they should be. A lot of people claim that I was asking for too much money for a rematch with Pacquiao, and it was my fault that the fight was not made, but I was not asking for more than a fighter of my quality deserves. I’m not asking for all of the pearls in the sea; just want what I’m worth. Although I’m making less money for the fight against Polo than what I was going to get for a rematch with Pacquiao, I’m still satisfied because I did not give in to them (Top Rank) and stood my ground. I’m as good as Morales and Barrera, and just need a good promoter to get me fights against those guys to prove that I belong with the elite boxers of the world. I also want to finish my business with Manny Pacquiao because I know that I beat him. I’ll go up to super featherweight and meet those guys there. I can carry the weight easily and usually spar with junior welters and welterweights and can compete at a heavier weight. I just want to start making the money and get the fights that I deserve.”

And Juan Manuel’s family patiently waits for the big money to start coming their way as he is married with one son and another baby boy to be born in May of this year. “My family is important to me and we are just trying to make sure that we are financially stable. Both my brother (Rafael) and I have worked very hard for years and have never been given anything for free. It really saddens me that we both have sacrificed a lot for this sport and should really have something to show for it.” I guess hard work doesn’t always pay off.

In closing, Juan Manuel had this to say: “To the Mexican people in the United States, I ask for your support and I really appreciate all of love the Mexican people all around the world have shown me in the past. And to all of the top fighters in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions, we have all worked very hard and the people deserve to see great fights. I’m on my way up and I’m coming to fight anyone who wants a challenge.”

So, on May 7, 2005, tune in to Showtime, sit back and enjoy one of the most technically sound fighters of our era apply his craft. If you start to think that his style is boring, focus on the artistry that you are witnessing and that will lead you to appreciate Juan Manuel Marquez that much more.

Sergio Martinez can be reached at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com