Bring On Erik Morales vs Juan Manuel Marquez

BRING ON ERIK MORALES VS JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ!
by Reylan (Pacland and Ring Talk writer)


PERFECT TIME FOR LONG OVERDUE ENCOUNTER

Tagbilaran City, RP – The Barrera-Marquez-Morales triumvirate is without question the best Mexico has to offer in this generation. Morales and Barrera, in their prime (or at least near it), slugged it out in a classic trilogy widely considered as one of the all-time greats. Barrera and Marquez, on the other hand, still generated much interest in spite of the fight itself being long overdue. This gigantic showdown should have taken place half-a-decade ago, when both these Mexican warriors were still at the top of their respective games at featherweight. But then again, it is always better late than never. That same principle should apply to Erik “El Terrible” Morales and Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez as well. Their journey to Canastota ought not to leave a very important page of their legendary book unturned. It would be a very big shame for this sport not to let this must-see face-off transpire.

JMM SHOULD FORGET PAC FOR NOW

Instead of begging newly installed WBC super featherweight (130 lbs) champion Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao for a rematch that will not happen any time soon, it might be a lot wiser for Juan Manuel Marquez and his camp to consider other options for the time being. Pacquiao’s promoter and Top Rank boss Bob Arum has already, in principle, set a megabuck showdown for his prized ward opposite WBC lightweight (135 lbs) king David Diaz, who is also under Top Rank Promotions. Taking into account Pacquiao’s difficulty in dealing with Marquez and his style during their epic encounter last month, we can’t just expect Bob to let his top fighter take that same risk immediately thereafter. He’s way too clever to let it happen.

BOTH FIGHTERS FIGHTING FOR PRIDE AND A BUNCH OF $$$$$$$$$$!

Fresh from a sterling performance in twelve blazing rounds against the widely recognized king of the super featherweights Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez doesn’t necessarily need the former in order to sell his next bout… most especially if he has the very popular Erik Morales to dance with. The Mexican fan base, Manny Pacquiao’s throng of supporters, and boxing buffs all over the globe will surely be interested to see how this clash comes about. With Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank Promotions at the helm of creating some noise and putting up some strategic undercards, this bout is definitely a guaranteed hit.

$64,000 QUESTION: WHO IS OLDER?

At age 34, Marquez is three years older than Morales. However, biological age is not really what matters for proffesional boxers. Erik is now semi-retired after about 14 years and a total of 354 rounds of brutal action while Marquez is still very active and physically fit, looking a lot younger than his compatriot in their last respective bouts against a common tormentor in Pacquiao. Their contrasting styles throughout their pugilistic careers have something to do with it. While Marquez was always methodical and evasive, Morales, on the flipside, was pure machismo.

WHO HAS THE UPPERHAND?

Who will win if Morales and Marquez agree to trade leathers? Odds might favor Marquez, especially if we take into account the one-sided beating not so long ago that Morales got from Pacquiao, whom Marquez fought competitively just recently. Pundits might completely count Morales out, but remember; it wasn’t too long ago either when El Terrible scored a knockdown and gave current WBC lightweight champ David Diaz hell before losing via relatively close decision. Furthermore, one must also consider the fact that Marquez isn’t as hard a puncher as Pacquiao. It is apparently still an undecided and uncertain outcome for both fighters. Well, we will never know unless it happens. If Morales is looking for one last hurrah and a final huge payday, then this should be it! Boxing fans, if you want this fight, then make yourselves heard!

I dont want Erick spoiling his legacy,is it 4 out of his last 4 fights he's lost? That says it all really! Dont see him coming out of retirment were he's now proberbly closer 2 heavyweight than Sup Feath and beating 1 of the top5 P4P,much as though i'd love him 2!!

This would have been a phenomenal matchup about 3 or 4 years ago. It's the only matchup of the Morales/Barrera/Marquez/Pacquiao group that's never happened.

But there's no way it should happen now. Erik Morales is a shot fighter and Marquez would beat him badly. Morales should not fight again against anyone, let alone a fighter as good as Marquez.

For what it's worth, prime-for-prime, I would have picked Morales to win a close fight.

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Originally Posted by SweetPea

This would have been a phenomenal matchup about 3 or 4 years ago. It's the only matchup of the Morales/Barrera/Marquez/Pacquiao group that's never happened.

But there's no way it should happen now. Erik Morales is a shot fighter and Marquez would beat him badly. Morales should not fight again against anyone, let alone a fighter as good as Marquez.

For what it's worth, prime-for-prime, I would have picked Morales to win a close fight.

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Marquez could have taken this fight years ago because it was offered to him but he declined to fight some journeyman that he ended up losing too