FanPost promoted by SC

I've been watching every episode of Mayweather/Marquez 24/7 on HBO and have been fascinated, of course.  I do think that 24/7 has gotten a little played only because they have had a bunch of repeat fighters (Floyd, De La Hoya, Pac-man, Hatton).  Floyd started the show saying he built this show, and it seemed to be geated towards all his strenghts - outspoken, impressive, flashy.  I was wondering how 24/7 would handle Marquez, who doesn't speak English and isn't, on the surface, particularly interesting.

But what we have found is a revelation.  Juan Manuel Marquez, above nearly every fighter ever profiled on 24/7, is a throwback to the old traditional fighter - a man who fights for family, god, and country.  A humble man of the old world.  And thats not to say there isn't depth to Floyd Mayweather, for sure his love of boxing transcends his "Money" persona.  But something about Marquez is different, different from even Pacquiao - another national hero.  Maybe its because Marquez has had some agonizing losses (and draws), that he has crawled and fought to his place in boxing - having to leap countrymen Barrera and Morales to get there.  Maybe its because we all know what an underdog he is.  But few fighters have been as open as Marquez, the fact that what he fights for is something so basic, so honest, so real that it transcends the language barrier.  

Maybe it's sentimental, maybe it's because I'm basically a conservative man myself, but for boxing to regain its greatness it needs to find more men, and by that I mean "men," like Juan Manuel Marquez.  And for all his flash, his talk, his drama, and all that makes Floyd Mayweather perfect for television - the honestly, the traditionalism, the underdog authenticity that Juan Manuel Marquez brought to this show has stolen it from Floyd Mayweather.  

And if I wasn't already, I'd rooting for Juan Manuel Marquez even more this Saturday.