Pete’s Ponderings: Give Marquez a chance?

Much of the criticism I’ve read in regards to the upcoming Floyd Mayweather – Juan Manuel Marquez 144 pound welterweight catchweight fight center around the fact that Marquez, the reigning lightweight world champ and consensus pound for pound #2 fighter in the world, will be competing nine pounds heavier than he ever has once he steps into the ring against Mayweather later this month in Las Vegas.

Haven’t we heard this before?

The last time I can recall a fight being declared somewhat of a mismatch was when junior middleweight Oscar De La Hoya moved down a division to face then reigning lightweight titlist Manny Pacquiao, who was fighting 13 pounds heavier than his previous heaviest fighting weight.

What happened in that fight?

Pacquiao beat De La Hoya down for eight lopsided rounds until “The Golden Boy” retired on his stool and decided it was time to get out of the sport.

So why can’t people give Marquez a chance?

He’s the legitimate lightweight champ who is coming off two consecutive knockout wins against elite opponents, one who’s a probably a future hall of famer, who have never been stopped before.

He’s also the only fighter in recent memory to make Pacquiao look human. Marquez fought to a draw and a split decision loss to Pacman in 2004 and 2008 respectively. Just one point on the scorecards separates those two fighters in their two bouts.

Let’s not forget that in a time when Pacquiao is giving off an aura of invincibility with dominant wins consecutively over boxing superstars that he was rocked in both fights against Marquez.

So is Mayweather faster than Marquez? Yes..but he’s been inactive for 21 months.

Is Mayweather more powerful than Marquez? Maybe….Mayweather’s never been a particularly big knockout puncher at welterweight and for Marquez it remains to be seen.

Is Mayweather rusty at all after not having fought since 2007? This remains to be seen and we’ll find out September 19^th in Vegas.

So while Mayweather is the betting favorite and rightfully so, let’s please not act like this is a mismatch meant to give “Money” a comeback win.

We need to learn from past mistakes.