14.09.08 – by James Slater – The lightweight division has seen some changes just lately. Juan Diaz, seen by many as the very best at 135, lost to Nate Campbell, who in turn declared he was #1 at lightweight. Then Manny Pacquiao moved up from 130-pounds and destroyed David Diaz, thus making believers of many that he was the king of the weight class.
While last night in Las Vegas, Juan Manuel Marquez also moved up to 135 and became the first man to stop Cuba’s Joel Casamayor – who himself was seen by a good number of fans as the best at the weight after rejuvenating himself with a great win over the gutsy Michael Katsidis. So who’s the best lightweight on the planet now?
Surely we must all give that distinction to Mexican great Marquez. Not only did he do something no other fighter ever has, and in his very first fight in the lightweight division at that, but with the departure of Pacquaio – who Marquez twice went nip and tuck with at featherweight and super-featherweight – “Dinamata” must surely be the main man at lightweight.
The experts were pretty much split as to who would win last night in Vegas. But with an ultimately dominant showing the 35-year-old warrior from Mexico made sure he was not denied. The fight was close, with two of the three cards being dead level before the 11th round stoppage scored by Marquez., but Marquez once again showed his greatness. The question is, who next for him?
Though he, like many, many fans, would love a third fight with Pacquiao to take place, this looks very unlikely. With “Pac-Man” now in training for his “dream fight” with Oscar De La Hoya up at welterweight, the chances of a third bout between the stars of the Philippines and Mexico look slim. Maybe, if Manny is badly beaten by Oscar and sees he has no other option but to move back down two weight classes, we will see the fight that always should have happened. But don’t hold your breath.
But even without Manny Pacquiao Juan Manuel Marquez will surely be getting himself some big fights in the near future. How about a showdown with Nate Campbell (once he’s got his strength back, that is)? Or what about a Marquez-Julio Diaz match-up? Or maybe even a return with Casamayor, or a fight with the always pleasing Katsidis?
There is little doubt the great little Mexican who improved to 49-4-1(36) last night, and who has never been stopped, will be engaging in some super fights to come. Being the proven best lightweight in the world, Marquez has earned the right to face whoever he chooses.