Edwin Valero

[Kev]

Thats a bold prediction.

Marquez is struggling these days. Casamayor went to war with him, Diaz had the upper hand early, he's old, he's out of his weight class (Valero yes but he's younger and will adapt better) and he's battle worn.

I can remember him struggling to get Jimrax Jaca out of there and he's lost virtually every fight since to nobodies.

Him and Valero will slug it out as Marquez knows no other way, (not nowadays at least, earlier in his career he was more of a boxer) and Valero will be too quick, too strong and too hungry.

The ref or his corner will save him around the 8th round, probably in between rounds.

Casamayor is a great fighter though. There's no shame in having a close fight with him.

And maybe Jaca was ruined by Marquez thats why he keeps losing now. Thats a possibility.

I assume that you believe Valero's power is for real and that is a big factor in you sayin he'd stop Marquez, right?

Also I admit I was surprised how much trouble he had with Diaz early. He got rocked. And I was rooting for Diaz.

Yes I believe Valero's power is for real. Pitalua was no mug having knocked out Santa Cruz who by rights should have been the linear champ after his fight with Casamayor.

I honestly think Breidas Prescott will be a tougher fight than Marquez becuase he's a massive lightweight who can really punch.

Marquez is smaller, not as strong and older. He's slowed a lot too which is why he's standing and trading more. He's a great fighter but he's not at his best now imo and Valero would take full advantage.

He's as ferocious and hungry as Juan Diaz, hits twice as hard and from what we've seen so far is more durable.

If Marquez took it to the late rounds then you'd favour experience over youth but I see him getting badly cut early and his corner retiring him after 7 or 8 rounds.

It's a bold prediction yes, but I'm an opinionated guy

[Galaxy]

JMM schools Valero at this point!!!

[CutMeMick]

Bilbos been hitting the bottle again.


Bilbo just has it out for JMM.
All you have to do is go through some of his posts to see this.

[Gandalf]

I don't think Valero beats Marquez right now. Valero hasn't really done too much yet, and from what I've seen he's a hard puncher, but has no defence.

Marquez is still just about on the top of his game and is knocking people clean out.

He won't last forever though, and has about a year left at the top IMO.

[CutMeMick]

He won't last forever though, and has about a year left at the top IMO.

Spot on miles.
I actually think he's got 3 fights left in him. The last one being really shakey.

But I think he's good for 2 more top caliber fights.

[CutMeMick]

Bilbo didn't you predict a Juan Diaz win?

[Kev]

Bilbo didn't you predict a Juan Diaz win?

If he was more durable he would have won. Clearly on that showing at least Marquez would have been manhandled by the Nate Campbell that bullied Diaz.

I think Marquez is a terrific fighter I just think the ring wars have caught up with him.

Both Juan Diaz and Casamayor had both been beaten a lot easier in recent fights than Marquez managed.

Santa Cruz cruised to a win over Casa but was robbed, Marquez's win was much more emphatic, he literally destroyed Casa at the end, but he had to go to war with him to do it.

You can think I'm crazy but when I picture Marquez in the ring with Valero (or Cory Spinks for that matter) I just see him getting dominated in the exchange. He will go toe to toe with Valero and I think Valero will stop him, younger, fresher, stronger.

Not dissing Marquez at all I just think the lightweight division is the extreme for his weight and size and that he's come to the end of his prime career and is now on the slide.

He's older than Barrera remember. We've seen Morales go, Barrera lasted maybe a year longer, and Marquez a year longer again, but he's past his prime now. Not shot by any means, but slipped enough for a younger hungry fighter like Valero or Juan Guzman to take advantage.

It will be interesting to see who his next fight is against, but you are right in that I will probably be backing against him for the third time in his last 4 fights