Did Marquez Duck Provodnikov?

[Beanflicker]

I don't know, after losing to Bradley maybe he wanted an easier comeback fight? Who knows. I'm not going to challenge JMM's guts though, he went to war with better fighters than Provodnikov.

[walrus]

I don't know, after losing to Bradley maybe he wanted an easier comeback fight? Who knows. I'm not going to challenge JMM's guts though, he went to war with better fighters than Provodnikov.

I agree, it's a comeback fight. JMM has not shied away from top opponents. It will be interesting to see how JMM performs in this fight.

[FinitoElDinamita]

Absolutely not.. It was a power move towards legacy, a business decision..

Marquez already explained why he chose Alvarado over Prov and it makes perfect sense..

Tha Boxing Voice

[Beanflicker]

Absolutely not.. It was a power move towards legacy, a business decision..

Marquez already explained why he chose Alvarado over Prov and it makes perfect sense..

Tha Boxing Voice

I'm satisfied with that answer, how about you guys?

[Rantcatrat]

Absolutely not.. It was a power move towards legacy, a business decision..

Marquez already explained why he chose Alvarado over Prov and it makes perfect sense..

Tha Boxing Voice

What does a win over Alvarado do for him to get a fifth title? Maybe he was hoping Bradley won and he'd face Bradley again, but still I don't see how Alvarado plays into it. He doesn't want to fight Pacquiao again and Pacquiao has the belt, right?

[Beanflicker]

Even if he did duck Provodnikov, the way I see it is the guy's in his 40s, he's nearing the end of his rope, let him have an easier fight. Let him get a cheap win and set himself up for a bigger fight, be it with Pacquiao or someone else.

When a guy has spent a full career fighting absolute killers and overcoming huge obstacles, he deserves the benefit of the doubt every once and awhile.

[Master]

He probably took a safer route and hope it does not back fire. I think a fully motivated JMM counters Prov but why take the risk against the mad man attacks. JMM is saving himself for Manny Pac.

[Spicoli]

Nah, Marquez doesn't speak duck. Now if he agreed to a fight, shared co features with the understanding a showdown was looming and then suddenly went out of his way to avoid said showdown..all the while insulting and proclaiming his superiority but walking the other direction...now I could see how that might be a duck

Marquez wants to rebuild for one last run and have as many pluses on his side. Alvarado being battle worn but a complimentary style rather than a fresher, stronger, harder complimentary style in Provo is key too. Of course. Its a literal return to his roots and venue of La Forum...a homecoming of sorts with the very real lead in to yet another clash with Provos recent 'boss'...Manny.

[chris6878]

JMM is saving himself for Manny Pac.

oh god please no

[J_Undisputed]

For his sake, I hope he did. I know he's a masterful boxer and a proud fighter. Still we're not talking about another blown up feather/lightweight. This is like when jones went up to heavyweight. There are the guys you can challenge yourself to compensate for the physical disparities with skill and other there are other guys, that aren't a challenge, they're a death wish if you get the wrong ref, the wrong night, the wrong crowd. That's why bradley was a good match, close in size, not overly powerful, has some flaws that could be exploited. You get it wrong and you get slapped/ butted for the rest of the fight. Not that marquez couldn't outbox provo... but the bigger the disparity between fighters, the more success relies on fighting the perfect fight. Slip just once and you could walk away with a permanent injury.

Obviously for someone like jones, every heavyweight packs a punch, but at least ruiz wasnt known for his knockout wins as much as his knockout loss and his rather boring style. In that respect, it was a reasonable jump in weight. Haye vs. Valuev was an unusual case and side show that sold based on just size, but Haye knew valuev wasn't a huge puncher and he was beyond slow. Good thing for haye, holding and punching is illegal in boxing.