Meeting world champ Juan Manuel Marquez

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

McALLEN, TEXAS – Boxing is next to cycling as my favorite sport. I’ve been an avid fan of great heavyweights Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali and middleweight Sugar Ray Leonard. Locally, the late Gabriel “Flash” Elorde was my hero during the 60’s, and now Manny Pacquiao got my heart.

It could be in the genes why I’m addicted to this game. My late father was a Mexican and my deceased mother was a Filipina (bless their souls). And look what’s happening now in this field of sport. It’s a square war between Filipinos and  Mexicans like the recent match between Manny Paquiao and Erik Morales, Brian Viloria against Omar Nino Romero and the latest Jimrex Jaca contra Juan Manuel Marquez, all done in title bouts last month.

Visiting this big city after 28 years was a very fruitful trip and will be one of my unforgettable experiences. I was so happy that I met my paternal relatives and personally watched the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight title fight between defending champion Juan Manuel Marquez and our very own Jimrex Jaca a week ago at Hidalgo, Texas Dodge Arena, made possible by my brother Rolando and my cousin Dago Garcia Soto and through the courtesy of Golden Boy Promotions led by the boxer Oscar dela Hoya whom I met too.

It was my first time to watch a world title bout, and had the fortunate opportunity to meet the champ and the challenger before and after the fight.

After lunch of November 20 was when I first met the champ Marquez before his work out at Body Builders gym in this city. This well-known boxer from Mexico was so humble, not snobbish and very accommodating when I interviewed him. I asked him three questions with the help of an interpreter.

I asked him if he was taking Jaca lightly and he said “no” knowing that Jaca, also known as “The Executioner”, is young, talented and with a good record in his career.

I asked him too if he would like to battle Pacquiao anew to break the draw verdict in their meeting, and he humbly quipped “anytime and anyplace.” He also said he believes he beat Pacquiao during that memorable encounter.

Asked what weight category he would like to face Pacman again if ever, he politely said they could do it either in featherweight (126 lbs) or in super featherweight (130 lbs) division.

Marquez, also known as “Dinamita” because of his strong punching power, was born in Mexico City to a father who was also an ex-pro boxer with 35 fights to his credit but never became a champion. His brother Rafael is also a current world champion in the bantamweight division.

More on Marquez next week.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/sports-eye/)

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