By Doug Fischer, The Ring
LAS VEGAS -- When it as announced that Juan Manuel Marquez would defend his world lightweight title against Juan Diaz on July 31 the first question that popped into the minds of many fans and members of the media was: Why?
The two lightweights combined to make the 2009 fight of the year last February, a back-and-forth thriller that Marquez won by ninth-round stoppage. Since the first bout, however, both fighters have lost bouts. Marquez’s loss, a 12-round decision to Floyd Mayweather in a welterweight bout last September, was forgiven. It was obvious the 36-year-old fighter should not have fought anyone, let alone Mayweather, over 140 pounds.
Diaz, however, struggled to outpoint Paul Malignaggi in controversial fashion last August, and then soundly lost the rematch to the slick New Yorker via unanimous decision in December. Many believe that Diaz (35-3, 17 knockouts), who has lost three of his last five bouts, is not the same “Baby Bull” who once held three 135-pound titles.
So why should Marquez (50-5-1, 37 KOs), the lightweight champ who is still regarded as an elite fighter, give Diaz another chance?
The classy veteran answered that question at the press conference for the rematch, which will take place at the Mandalay Bay and be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View.
“No. 1, he’s a great fighter and he deserves a rematch,” Marquez told the assembled media at the MGM Grand on Saturday. “No. 2, the people want to see this kind of fight. In 2009, our fight was the fight of the year. In 2010, maybe we will make the fight of the year again. We are two warriors in that ring, so it can happen.”
Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, which promotes both fighters and put on the first match, certainly thinks so.
“Styles make fights and these two are made for each other,” said Schaefer, who also promised that his company would put on top-notch undercard to entice fans to come out to Las Vegas during one of the hottest months and to encourage hardcore fans to part with their money to watch the rematch live.
“This won’t just be fight of the year, it will be the night of the year, and you can hold me to this. We’re going to make great fights that could be their own main events on this undercard.”
Even with world-class supporting bouts, the July 31 main event might be a hard sell outside of Hispanic markets due to the perception that Diaz has seen better days and is one more loss away from being a stepping-stone for up-and-comers.
Diaz, who is only 26, is aware of the doubt the boxing world is directing at him, which is why he’s so motivated for this rematch.
“This is the fight I wanted more than any other,” he told RingTV.com. “Juan Manuel Marquez has been on my mind since our first fight. He was on my mind while I was training for both Malignaggi bouts.
“I was too emotional going into our first fight. I couldn’t even sleep days before the fight because I was so hyped to be fighting a legend in my hometown (Houston). It was like I was on Red Bull (energy drink) all the time. I came out to hard and it wound up biting me in the ass.
“That’s not going to happen this time. This time I’m going to listen more to my corner and use my jab better.”
Nacho Beristain, Marquez’s trainer, believes Diaz can box better than he did in the first bout, which is why he’s taking the young man seriously as an opponent.
“There was talk of Juan Manuel maybe fighting Ricky Hatton or Amir Khan at 140 pounds, but neither of those two are as dangerous as Diaz is, in my opinion,” Berstain told RingTV.com through translator Francisco Salazar. “Khan is not as tough as Diaz is. And who knows how much Hatton weighs? They said the fight would be at 140 pounds but he’s a light heavyweight right now.
“Diaz is still hungry. He’s a good opponent, which is why Juan Manuel will have to box better than he did in the first fight. I want to see more lateral movement from him in this fight.”
Better boxing? More jabs? Lateral movement?
Is it possible that the rematch could more of chess match than a fight of the year candidate?
“Not really,” said Diaz. “We might add some boxing to our strategy but we’re still going to fight. We have the kind of mentalities and hearts that always make for a hell of fight.”
Marquez agreed, explaining that their particular ring chemistry comes from their cultural heritage.
“He may live in the U.S. but he’s Mexican,” Marquez told RingTV.com. “I’m Mexican. As a Mexican fighter I will give my heart in the ring. So will Juan Diaz. I will spill my blood to keep my title and for the honor of my country.”
Source: ringtv.com
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Sabtu, 01 Mei 2010
Marquez, Diaz will meet again for title -- ESPN
By Dan Rafael, ESPN.com
LAS VEGAS -- The rematch of the 2009 fight of the year is on. Lightweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez and former titleholder Juan Diaz, who waged an all-out bloody brawl 15 months ago, will meet in a rematch on July 31 at Mandalay Bay, Golden Boy Promotions announced at a news conference Saturday.
The bout, which has been in the works since March, was announced at Mandalay Bay sister property MGM Grand, where the world boxing media was gathered for the Shane Mosley-Floyd Mayweather Jr. mega fight that Golden Boy is also promoting on Saturday night.
Marquez-Diaz I took place in front of a wild crowd of more than 14,000 on Feb. 28, 2009, at the Toyota Center in Diaz's hometown of Houston. It turned out to be an unforgettable fight and was named fight of the year by ESPN.com, the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring magazine.
"These two guys are made for each other," Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said. "The first fight was fight of the year and I have no doubt the rematch will be another great fight."
The rematch came about after both fighters had gone their separate ways and fell on some hard times.
Mexico's Marquez (50-5-1, 37 KOs), 36, went on to face Mayweather, who was coming out of retirement, in a September welterweight fight and was routed in a one-sided decision loss. Now, however, Marquez is returning to the division to make his second defense of the title he won when he knocked out Joel Casamayor in the 11th round in September 2008.
"I came back to lightweight because at welterweight I lost a lot of speed," Marquez said.
Diaz (35-3, 17 KOs), 26, struggled in his two post-Marquez fights, also at a heavier weight. He fought former titleholder Paulie Malignaggi at junior welterweight twice, claiming their first bout in August on a controversial decision before dropping a clear decision in the rematch in December.
"I know that 140 is not my weight class," Diaz said. "It didn't take anything away from me."
With neither Marquez nor Diaz having a bigger fight available to them, they opted to face each other again in the rematch, which will be broadcast on HBO PPV.
"I am going to forget our first fight. It is like it never happened," Marquez said. "I am going in as if this were our first meeting. A lot of people are asking me, 'Why Juan Diaz again?' There are two reasons. No. 1 is that he is a great fighter and deserves a rematch. No. 2, the people deserve a great fight like this.
"Our fight was the fight of the year in 2009 and it may be the fight of the year again in 2010. Finally I want to give the people a great fight, especially the Mexican people. You are all going to see two warriors who will give everything they have and leave everything in the ring."
Diaz is training for the fight but also studying for his law school entrance exam, which is on June 7.
"I am very excited because I have two things going on in these next couple of months," Diaz said. "I have the second biggest fight of my career. I have some career defining decisions. On June 7, I am going to take the LSAT and those logic puzzles are kicking my butt. I am excited because this is going to be a great summer for myself, for my family and for my team.
"People are saying this is going to be a must win fight for me. But I don't see it that way. I see this as redemption. Redemption for what I was going to accomplish in 2009, but it wasn't meant to be. Come July 31, I am going to pick up in the ninth round. I left off in the ninth round last time, and I am going to pick it up from there."
Source: sports.espn.go.com
LAS VEGAS -- The rematch of the 2009 fight of the year is on. Lightweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez and former titleholder Juan Diaz, who waged an all-out bloody brawl 15 months ago, will meet in a rematch on July 31 at Mandalay Bay, Golden Boy Promotions announced at a news conference Saturday.
The bout, which has been in the works since March, was announced at Mandalay Bay sister property MGM Grand, where the world boxing media was gathered for the Shane Mosley-Floyd Mayweather Jr. mega fight that Golden Boy is also promoting on Saturday night.
Marquez-Diaz I took place in front of a wild crowd of more than 14,000 on Feb. 28, 2009, at the Toyota Center in Diaz's hometown of Houston. It turned out to be an unforgettable fight and was named fight of the year by ESPN.com, the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring magazine.
"These two guys are made for each other," Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said. "The first fight was fight of the year and I have no doubt the rematch will be another great fight."
The rematch came about after both fighters had gone their separate ways and fell on some hard times.
Mexico's Marquez (50-5-1, 37 KOs), 36, went on to face Mayweather, who was coming out of retirement, in a September welterweight fight and was routed in a one-sided decision loss. Now, however, Marquez is returning to the division to make his second defense of the title he won when he knocked out Joel Casamayor in the 11th round in September 2008.
"I came back to lightweight because at welterweight I lost a lot of speed," Marquez said.
Diaz (35-3, 17 KOs), 26, struggled in his two post-Marquez fights, also at a heavier weight. He fought former titleholder Paulie Malignaggi at junior welterweight twice, claiming their first bout in August on a controversial decision before dropping a clear decision in the rematch in December.
"I know that 140 is not my weight class," Diaz said. "It didn't take anything away from me."
With neither Marquez nor Diaz having a bigger fight available to them, they opted to face each other again in the rematch, which will be broadcast on HBO PPV.
"I am going to forget our first fight. It is like it never happened," Marquez said. "I am going in as if this were our first meeting. A lot of people are asking me, 'Why Juan Diaz again?' There are two reasons. No. 1 is that he is a great fighter and deserves a rematch. No. 2, the people deserve a great fight like this.
"Our fight was the fight of the year in 2009 and it may be the fight of the year again in 2010. Finally I want to give the people a great fight, especially the Mexican people. You are all going to see two warriors who will give everything they have and leave everything in the ring."
Diaz is training for the fight but also studying for his law school entrance exam, which is on June 7.
"I am very excited because I have two things going on in these next couple of months," Diaz said. "I have the second biggest fight of my career. I have some career defining decisions. On June 7, I am going to take the LSAT and those logic puzzles are kicking my butt. I am excited because this is going to be a great summer for myself, for my family and for my team.
"People are saying this is going to be a must win fight for me. But I don't see it that way. I see this as redemption. Redemption for what I was going to accomplish in 2009, but it wasn't meant to be. Come July 31, I am going to pick up in the ninth round. I left off in the ninth round last time, and I am going to pick it up from there."
Source: sports.espn.go.com
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