SaddoBoxing Writers Predict: Rafael Marquez vs. Ricardo Vargas.

My outstanding memory of Ricardo “Chapo” Vargas is of him bringing hell to a certain Johnny Tapia some years ago. Vargas’s sharp punches tore at Tapia’s features and it seemed to me that even one as talented as Tapia felt bemused about how to deal with such a dangerous foe. It is worth noting that Vargas’ professional record does not tell the story of his abilities as a fighter. But the statistics of Rafael Marquez’s record do tell the story of his ability. Those statistics tell of a monstrous puncher that demolished all trace of his opponents all but three times in a thirty-three fight career. Vargas spent many years taking fights at short notice, just to make money, and in validation for all of those disappointments, he has a chance to become a world champion. But one feels that to do so against Marquez in such rich form is a task that might be beyond Vargas. The answers to all our questions shall be revealed over this weekend, but until then, the SaddoBoxing.com team has a few things to say about the outcome of this fight.

Matt Cotterell: Vargas’s lack of firepower will make it difficult to keep Marquez off, as tough as Vargas is, I can’t see him lasting past half way.

Shaun Rico LaWhorn: Ricardo Vargas (37-10-3, 12 KOs) will be facing Rafael Marquez (33-3, 30 KOs), in a fight that will be entertaining and fast-paced with a lot of punches. Vargas’ record is an injustice to his abilities, having his last loss in 2001. Marquez’ thirty knockouts is something to pay very close attention to, but, the question at hand is, “Will Vargas respect it?” This fight will begin slowly in the early rounds, with Vargas being very cautious. Marquez will wait this fight out and patiently punish Vargas in the fifth and sixth rounds. Rounds seven and eight will be all Marquez, with round nine being his knockout round. Marquez will be the winner in round nine.

Sergio Martinez: Rafael Marquez vs. Ricardo “Chapo” Vargas is your classic confrontation between a boxer and a puncher. Vargas can outmaneuver and out work any fighter and has solid boxing skills. He has good hand speed and a solid chin to grind out decision victories. The problem for Ricardo is that Marquez, the IBF and bantamweight division Kingpin, is pound-for-pound one of the hardest, if not the hardest puncher in the sport today. Add to that fact that he has improved his boxing skills every year, and “Chapo” is in serious trouble. This fight will not go the distance with Marquez stopping Vargas by no later than the ninth round after “Chapo” sustains a brutal beating. There is my two cents fight fans.

James MacDonald: Rafael Marquez is one of the more underrated fighters of recent times. I, along with many others, am guilty of looking past him when compiling a pound-for-pound list. His domination is such that it is hard to see past him no matter the opposition. I don’t feel this fight will be any different. I will be surprised if Vargas has the power to dent Marquez. Marquez by knockout in round nine.

Lee Bellfield: I feel that Vargas is naturally the bigger man of the two. With this is mind I think Vargas will score a late stoppage, around round nine.

Richard Eberline: Rafael Marquez and Ricardo Vargas is a much more straightforward match-up to analyze in my opinion. Vargas, a former NABF bantamweight champion, is a very good fighter who even drew with Johnny Tapia in his prime at 115-pounds. Unfortunately for Vargas, Marquez is one of the best in the sport regardless of weight class. Have a look someday at his resume over the last four or five years and you’ll see a very impressive body of work. Marquez by technical knockout in six rounds.

Jim Cawkwell: You must rate Marquez amongst the hardest punchers pound-for-pound in the sport today. I like Vargas’s style but it is one that may have been more effective as a younger man, especially against a fighter as relentless as Marquez. I think Marquez will dominate this one from start to finish and conclude matters with a stunning fifth round knockout.

Jim Cawkwell can be reached at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk