Juan Manuel Marquez Won't Retire, Timothy Bradley an Option Without Pacquiao
by Scott Christ on Dec 29, 2011 4:33 PM EST
in Boxing News Analysis
Email
Print
Though Juan Manuel Marquez is focused on landing a fourth fight with Manny Pacquiao for big money if his terms can be met, the 38-year-old Mexican star has now made clear that retirement is not in his plans, as he had previously said it could be, and that it's not simply Pacquiao or bust anymore.
Ernesto Castellanos of notifight.com (via BoxingScene.com) reports that Marquez is interested in fighting top junior welterweight Timothy Bradley if a Pacquiao fight can't be made:
"If [the Pacquiao fight] is not made soon, then I look for another great opportunity, like Timothy Bradley, the WBO's junior welterweight champion," Marquez said. "[Morales] is a great fighter, very good, but there are other opponents who are bigger, like Bradley. I want to face the best, and that's what I remember Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns doing."
Marquez (53-6-1, 39 KO) says he's interested in fighting one or two more years, noting that no matter how much money he makes, boxing is dangerous and "you can't buy another brain."
As for Timothy Bradley, he's interested in the fight, as you'd expect. Ryan Burton of BoxingScene.com spoke with Bradley after the Marquez quotes went out:
"I want to fight Pacquiao but facing Marquez is another fight that I want. That would be a great fight. ... That is the fight I need to get PacMan. If I beat Marquez it will show my worth and PacMan will not deny me. And I will beat Marquez."
Bradley (28-0, 12 KO) signed with Top Rank in order to land big-name opponents, and right now there aren't many who are bigger name than Marquez. Pacquiao, of course, is one who is -- and that is definitely still Bradley's ultimate goal, same as it is JMM's.
What I could see happening is Top Rank setting up two fights: Pacquiao against Miguel Cotto in a rematch of their 2009 fight, and Marquez against Timothy Bradley. I'm not certain how enthusiastic Top Rank is to make Pacquiao vs Marquez IV, simply because Marquez is calling some shots this time. He'll want more than the $5 million from November. He won't fight in Las Vegas. And, well, he's stylistically a pain in Manny Pacquiao's ass, and everyone now knows that more than ever.
There's big money in Cotto, who will gladly fight in Vegas, and possibly for less money than Marquez will want now (Cotto made $5 million plus PPV to fight Antonio Margarito on December 3).
Bradley, 28, is the youngest of all these fighters, and the one who has the most future at Top Rank. A fight with Marquez would probably be 50-50ish on paper, but I expect a good matchmaker would favor Bradley in that one, and Top Rank has the best matchmakers in the sport, in my opinion.
What do you think shakes out when all is said and done here? Pacquiao is going to fight in the spring, likely now on May 5, and the others involved here will need to fight, too.
40 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Bradley Marquez is not 50/50
Bradley wins that one wide. I just don’t see it being close at all.
by journeyintosound on Dec 29, 2011 4:43 PM EST reply actions
Somehow....
…I’m not surprised people think like this.
Seriously it's a shame.
It was the same consensus with Pac-Marquez 3. Somehow, Juan Manuel is still seen as too old or too slow or too something-or-other. Yet, in the ring he still as crafty and as precise as ever.
Hey, I'll take it from here because you obviously don't know what you're doing... Lie down now, rest, and we'll talk about this when you regain your senses. --The Knockout Mechanism.
I think Bradley beats Marquez. Marquez did a wonderful job against Pacquiao and had Pacquiao second guessing himself. I just think Bradley would be too much for Marquez. When I watched the first Diaz fight and Katsidis fights you could see JMM slowing down. He does a great job of using his craftiness but I think Bradley is one person he will not be able to beat. Bradley’s just physically strong and I don’t think JMM will be able to keep him off him.
Yeah
A few years ago or a few pounds less I would favor Marquez. But I don’t see him doing it. His best win since 2008 is Juan Diaz? Katsidis maybe I mean, those are at best B fighters (at the time he fought them) – Marquez has gotten older and Bradley is atleast an A- fighter.
by journeyintosound on Dec 29, 2011 7:04 PM EST up reply actions
Many believe his best win since 2008 is Manny Pacuiao this year.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
by BoxAnne on Dec 29, 2011 8:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree on the likelihood of Pacquiao-Cotto and Marquez-Bradley at this point, but Marquez should have at least continued to publicly entertain simply retiring or taking on a Golden Boy fighter if he really wanted Pacquiao. I’m fine with Marquez-Bradley but I’ll be annoyed if it facilitates a needless Pacquiao-Cotto rematch.
I like it. I think Marquez/Bradley makes for a decent fight.
by RRod806 on Dec 29, 2011 5:15 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
RIos is a better all-around fighter than Diaz. I would LOVE that fight, but Marquez doesn’t seem interested.
by Kory Kitchen on Dec 29, 2011 7:18 PM EST up reply actions
Comparisons of Diaz and Rios are hilarious. It’s not just more power coming from Rios. It’s, um, any power, coming from Rios. And a lot at that.
by El Destruyo on Dec 29, 2011 11:38 PM EST up reply actions
Good fight too. It would be nice to see Rios fight the winner
by RRod806 on Dec 29, 2011 6:35 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Surprised he dismissed a fight with Morales. It would also be for a title, and it would a huge event around Cinco de Mayo.
I don’t see Bradley as a “bigger” name, but do give him credit for wanting to fight the “best”.
Honestly...
…I think its a matter of pride…….and just plain being a dick. I mean if Barrera and Morales ducked Marquez when they were on top and casted as big a shadow as they could at the time, now that the tables have turned, he’s probably thinking, fuck Morales. He needs some money and is trying to make it off of me, how about I dont give him a fight and let his ass wilt into obscurity.
The only thing is that it would mean massive money for Marquez too. Morales won’t just fade into obscurity, in my opinion. He doesn’t necessarily need Marquez, but the fight makes sense for both of them if Marquez doen’t get Pacquiao. Marquez has certainly been the victim of poor management in the past, and I hope he has learned his lesson.
by Kory Kitchen on Dec 29, 2011 7:23 PM EST up reply actions
He has options but he is still the one who will exercise those presented to him. Boxing like life is about decisions and choices; the right ones potentially bringing fortune and the wrong ones not.
Let’s see what his brain trust suggests to him and what he decides when the offers are presented. And there will be offers.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
That was against Marcos MaIdana who is nowhere near the star that Marquez is, and many people cried that that fight would be a slaughter. Other than Pacquaio, who would Marquez make more money against that is a legit opponent?
by Kory Kitchen on Dec 29, 2011 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
And Morales other significant fight this year was relegated to the undercard of a Mayweather PPV. I see no reason to regard him as still a very big draw until he proves otherwise. In a vacuum Bradley-Marquez is probably not as much of a draw at the gates as a Morales fight, but Top Rank and HBO are likely to put up more money for that fight IMO. I think the same would apply to fights with Khan and Rios.
I wish Khan and RIos would fight Marquez, but it won’t happen next. Realistically, I just think Morales would be his biggest fight at the moment not including Pacquiao. Don’t know how much money HBO would put up for a Bradley or Morales fight because it would likey be on ppv which is different.
by Kory Kitchen on Dec 30, 2011 12:19 AM EST up reply actions
Also, Bradley was just on the undercard of a Pacquiao undercard if we are going to criticize Morales for that.
by Kory Kitchen on Dec 30, 2011 12:24 AM EST up reply actions
Bradley is being 'promoted' as in having money invested in him
Morales is being utilized for what he is still worth. Thus TB will get a bigger promotinal push that Morales will.
Bigger future vs the past.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
bradley is that kind a boxer that could make a fight with marquez looks awful, i don’t like his style, he is a great boxer, fast and precise, but i’m not a fan of that style, he doesn’t hit he just mark the punches to fool the judges, and he is always hugging…it’s kind a boring…
by EL CIERTO (VEN) on Dec 29, 2011 5:29 PM EST reply actions
in my mind hes NOT precise
thats why hes not a very entertaining fighter, though his style suggests that he should be
him vs alexander was a terrible fight because you had 2 guys who are both really inaccurate
This.
WAR Marquez. If they fight and Marquez counters Bradley for 12 rounds, shouldn’t be shocked.
if marquez fights bradley and his strategy is the counter then there won’t be a fight if you know what i mean…
by EL CIERTO (VEN) on Dec 29, 2011 6:57 PM EST up reply actions
If he does that he will most likely lose again
The judges in most cases these days prefer the guy that looks like he is trying to win. And the one the sport is telling them would be better for it’s future. That is just the nature of the beast.
JMM will have to beat Bradley to win. Not just try to counter him.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
i think he is precise, he landed very good shots against casamayor, i know casmayor is old and kinda burned but even so… with devon is different they got the same style, an ugly fight because they were always huggin each other, refusing to fight, and just marking punches…
by EL CIERTO (VEN) on Dec 29, 2011 6:54 PM EST up reply actions
Marquez beats Bradley, he schools Bradley.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
This.
What does Bradley have to threaten Marquez, aside from a really good headbutt? He doesn’t hit hard, he’s not super quick, he’s not as good a boxer as Marquez. He’s tough and has good cardio, but so does Marquez.
Bradley is an overachieving B+/A- fighter. Marquez is a legit A+. Bradley gets trucked.
by Verklemptomaniac on Dec 29, 2011 9:47 PM EST up reply actions
Is it wrong to sorta like the idea of Bradley/Marquez on a doubleheading PPV card with Pacquiao headlining against some random name/nonscrub?
I'm personally with you on the doubleheader idea...
As long as the Pacman opponent is someone like Peterson or Rios. I also agree with bachwards above — “needless” is the word for a Pacquiao-Cotto rematch. Yawn!
I would be absolutely shocked if they actually did a doubleheader like that. The only way maybe is if it is a split-site show so each fight can draw its own gate in order to help maximize revenue. Promoters don’t like to put a big star like Marquez on an undercard because he can draw his own audience which would mean more money.
by Kory Kitchen on Dec 29, 2011 7:38 PM EST up reply actions
The first one to decide on his options is Manny
Then the others will have to sort themselves out.
And for the moment, all options are being considered and no decisions have been made.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
JMM should listen to his instincts and retire
He has nothing more to prove. What does he really have to gain? He’s 38 and pushing his luck.
Nobody would pay to watch that, seems like an awful style clash IMO.
by Shitali Klitschko on Dec 29, 2011 11:39 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bad Left Hook
Related FanShots on Bad Left Hook
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
