It is not challenging to conjure up recollections of ‘The Tortoise as well as the Hare’ with regards to assessing the profession of Juan Manuel Marquez. You'll find countless numbers of methods to explain what he’s completed in practically twenty years like a prizefighter, but possibly could be summed up by just one phrase.

“The very best term to explain Juan Manuel Marquez is, expert,” mentioned Corridor of Fame promoter Bob Arum throughout a current push meeting to drum up curiosity for your Mexican legend’s fourth combat with Manny Pacquiao. “Some fighters are at times, some fighters usually are not occasionally. Juan Manuel is usually skilled.”


The compliment is really a exceptional 1 taking into consideration the rocky previous among fighter and promoter. Arum’s Leading Rank business grew to become associated with Marquez’ profession some fifteen a long time in the past. Ironically, it absolutely was the try to safe a rematch with Pacquiao many years in the past which resulted in the falling out among the 2.

Even stranger may be the reality which the departure and what quickly adopted for Marquez produced him the fighter he's these days. The operate - that's integrated championships at super featherweight and light-weight, also like a made belt at 140 - authorized him to surpass his more-celebrated countrymen Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera.

Self-discipline has permitted him to not only hang close to but nevertheless command regard as among the really greatest today.

Just inquire Pacquiao and his group.

“I've confronted this gentleman 3 instances and have not develop a great method however,” admits Corridor of Fame coach Freddie Roach in detailing their previous 3 fights. “Juan Manuel is actually a wise fighter.”

The mixture of brains and brawn is exactly what has authorized his occupation to thrive profound in to the twilight. There was a time when his possible arrived into query - particularly his doubtful displaying within an similarly sketchy split selection reduction to Freddie Norwood in 1999.

The bout was Marquez’ 1st crack in a significant title and his 1st physical appearance on HBO. Instead than occur traveling out the gate and reside as much as the pre-fight accolades, Marquez fought tentatively and endured a knockdown en path to the initial of numerous sketchy calls about the scorecards in his profession.

HBO and Best Rank weren’t rather able to quit, nevertheless it could be an additional a few many years prior to Marquez would make his way again towards the top quality community. This time he took complete gain, punching Robbie Peden into submission - in the battle and his lunch. A brutal entire body assault experienced the Aussie puking in his corner, forcing a tenth spherical stoppage in March ’02 battle.

The acquire paved the way in which for Marquez’ eventual initial championship, which arrived annually afterwards when he pounded out a brutal stoppage acquire above Manuel Medina. The acquire attained him the initial of two titles about the 12 months, heading into his initial showdown with Pacquiao in Might ’04.



A much less ready fighter would've referred to as it quits right after any in the 3 knockdowns Marquez experienced within the opening spherical in their unforgettable 1st battle. But Marquez remained expert, proceeding to extensively outbox the Filipino idol during the period of the subsequent eleven rounds.

The trouble was adequate to combat his way all of the way again into a split selection attract about the scorecards. It had been a exceptional feat contemplating he was 4 factors down (or a few on a single scorecard by which the choose later on admitted fault) right after only one spherical. Nevertheless it would barely turn out to be his greatest shining minute.


Coping with what would've been a rewarding rematch is exactly what at some point resulted in the split among Marquez and Best Rank. ‘Professional’ was not precisely the initial phrase utilized on the time in describing Marquez, who permitted trainer/manager to barter his way away from a $750,000 payday for that rematch.

Leading Rank - who experienced Marquez on the time and was nevertheless a complete yr absent from turning into Pacquiao’s promoter - was none also thrilled. The organization produced a assertion by way of silence, sitting down out a purse bid to get a combat with Chris John, by which Marquez traveled halfway close to the entire world for what was in the end a $32,000 payday and also the 3rd decline on his document.

At times you need to strike rock bottom prior to climbing each of the way again towards the best. From there, Marquez took better handle of his profession. A one-fight stint with promoter Gary Shaw observed the fighter paired up with more youthful brother Rafael Marquez over a Showtime doubleheader prior to selecting up with still-rising promoter Golden Boy Promotions.

Title wins in two excess weight courses quickly adopted, as did a long-sought rematch with Pacquiao, When once again, Marquez strike the canvas. When once more, he picked himself up and fought again effectively sufficient to make controversy around the scorecards. The official verdict was a split choice reduction, however the vast majority of polled ringside push experienced the Mexican profitable by between 1 to a few details.

The reduction barely mattered to Marquez, who 1 combat later on grew to become the lineal light-weight championship having an 11th spherical knockout of Joel Casamayor. His initial protection was the eventual select for 2009 Combat in the Yr, conquering a tough begin to rally back again and knock out Juan Diaz inside the 9th spherical about the street in his opponent’s Houston hometown.


“Juan Manuel Marquez is really a fighter I've viewed develop and fights with enthusiasm like no one else,” states Nacho Beristain. The Corridor of Fame coach has guided Marquez’ occupation in the second the fighter initial entered his health club like a teenager.

The acquire above Diaz inside their initial battle cemented Marquez’ legacy like a one-per-generation sort of fighter. Marquez is 10 many years Diaz’ senior, but seemed such as the significantly fresher fighter within the vital moments in their epic experience.

This kind of may be the scenario in practically each certainly one of his fights, using the exception of his ill-advised ’09 catchweight bout with Floyd Mayweather. Even though even that night time exuded the professionalism of Marquez, who did his very best to abide through the agreed on 144 lb. restrict, just for Mayweather - returning following a 21-month ring hiatus - to method him serious into battle month about altering the phrases from the unique deal.

Marquez went via using the combat, struggling his most humiliating defeat thus far. It absolutely was a uncommon battle by which he appeared each little bit his age, leaving several to ponder simply how much he experienced still left in his occupation. The reduction was forgiven, thinking about the circumstance and also the opponent. 3 wins adopted, which includes a details gain above Diaz and an off-the-canvas knockout of Michael Katsidis, each of which arrived in 2010.

The reunion with Leading Rank arrived about when it arrived time and energy to settle on a 2nd opponent for Pacquiao’s 2011 marketing campaign. Marquez waited 3 a long time to settle the rating along with his longtime rival, so extended that he was ready to battle on what ever conditions for your opportunity to get revenge.

When once again a catchweight was set up for any Marquez combat in opposition to a pound-for-pound claimant. This time about, Marquez did not just fatten up in excess weight but arrived totally ready. Some questioned the indicates, completely as a result of the employing of disgraced power and conditioning mentor Angel Hernandez.

In the long run, Marquez’ energy was as soon as once more expert - and as soon as once again adequate to in which numerous considered he deserved his hand lifted in triumph. The judges thought or else, having a bulk choice leaving him dejected and supporters disheartened, adequate to in which Pacquiao was booed away from a ring for your initial time in his profession.

Handful of if any considered the 3rd battle in between the close to decade-long rivals was likely to be aggressive. Marquez discovered way not merely to keep up Pacquiao’s regard, but additionally keep his spot amongst the best fighters on the planet. He fought nicely sufficient to in which numerous gave him a good shot at bumping off unbeaten slugger Brandon Rios within a mentioned July bout that by no means materialized.

He fought nicely adequate to exactly where the premise of the complete welterweight restrict for any fourth battle with Pacquiao later on this yr is not adequate of the handicap to totally count him out.

“(Marquez) often arrives well prepared,” insists Arum. “He often arrives to combat and he usually offers 100%. He's one of many fantastic fighters of the period and of any period.”