Meeting world champ Juan Manuel Marquez

(Last of two series)

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

McALLEN, TEXAS – Marquez started boxing as an amateur at the age of 13. And after a sterling record of 35 wins and a single loss, he joined the pro ranks at age 19 but unfortunately lost his first bout via a disqualification to Javier Duran.

Despite that big debacle, he was not frustrated and went on to win 29 straight victories, including a convincing win over world contender Agapito Sanchez to capture the North American Boxing Organization (NABO) title.  His defense of the title seven times earned him a shot at the World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight crown on September 11, 1999. In this fight, Marquez lost a controversial 12-round decision to then unbeaten Freddie Norwood. That was his second loss.

Determined to get back in the title picture, Marquez came back with 10 consecutive triumphs including knockout victories over world challengers Remigio Molina and Robbie Pedde. This catapulted him to a second world title shot against fellow Mexican Manuel Medina for the vacant International Boxing   Federation (IBF) diadem on February 1, 2003 where he stopped Medina in seven rounds.

The more matured and improved Marquez added the WBA belt to his collection when he won a seven round technical decision over Derrick Gainer that pushed him to clash with Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao on May 8, 2004. I guess you knew how that ended.

After two successful defenses over compatriots Rolando Salido and Victor Polo, Marquez voyaged to Indonesia and fought hometown hero Chris John on March 4, 2006. Unluckily, he lost his titles via a highly disputed 12 round decision that many thought he won.

Again disappointed but not frustrated, Marquez, 32, returned to the ring on August 5 this year and captured the interim WBO featherweight tiara via a seventh round stoppage of Thailand’s Terdsak Jardaeng.

His battle with Jaca last November 25 was his first title defense and it was a sensational ninth round kayo victory. He improved his mark with 46 wins, three losses, and one draw with 35 knockouts. Jaca suffered his third defeat after 30 fights with 26 wins, 11 by knockouts and had a single draw.

I was there and personally watched the encounter at Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas with my brothers Rolando and Rogelio and my first cousin Dagoberto G. Soto. It was Oscar dela Hoya’s trusted coordinator Ms. Elena Cardona who assisted us obtain a free pass to the arena and got a clearer view of the clash.

Hopefully, the Pacquiao-Marquez second encounter will come into reality and I believe it will be a blockbuster war — could even be better than the Pacquiao-Morales grand finale.

Let’s wait and see.

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

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