By Paul Strauss: Yes, humble pie is the special of the day. The limb was about to break when I called for a Marquez kayo of Mayweather. I knew it when I wrote it, but wanted it and wished for it. But, Floyd, Jr. broke the limb off right under me and the landing hurts. As the title of my article read, “Don’t You Hate It When You’re Wrong!” Yes, I hate it, but have to admit it was incredible watching the skill displayed by Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in his one sided twelve round victory over Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. Yes, it’s true, I wanted Marquez to win and end the need to listen to and watch the circus atmosphere surrounding Floyd. I wanted Juan Manuel to win big.
However, the truth is Floyd was able to do just about anything he wanted to, which is usually the case in his fights.. I expected Juan to throw and land more combinations, and to counter effectively to Floyd’s body. It didn’t happen. In the second round, when Juan did manage to land a sweeping right hand, Floyd simply smiled ala Jack Johnson versus Stanley Ketchel. Soon thereafter Juan found himself on the seat of his pants as the result of a beautiful left hook.
In the post-fight interview Juan Marquez attributed much of the reason for his loss to the size difference, but the fact of the matter is it was Floyd’s speed and skill that accounted for the difference. He would quickly move out of range when Juan would attempt to start any kind of offense, and like a flash would be back with a lead right hand, left hook, or vice versa.
Granted there was an obvious physical size difference. Floyd appeared taller, wider, and his muscular shoulders seemed to be double that of Juan’s. Floyd used that size and strength whenever Juan would attempt to come inside and mount any kind of body attack. Plus, as usual, he used his left elbow and forearm effectively to offset Juan’s attack and to get him off balance.
Floyd enjoyed an incredible “connect” percentage that rivaled even his best past performance. It’s a testament to Juan’s courage that he was able to withstand the precision punching of Floyd. Floyd hit him with everything…….i.e. lead rights, or quick left hooks, often times followed by combinations. Then he would change things momentarily with a hard body shot. Whenever Juan would need a respite and try to relax a bit, Floyd would be right in his face with another shot or two or three.
When Juan would try to flurry with a counter combination, he would hit air, or if he directed his punches to the body he would be hitting arms and gloves or air again when Floyd would masterfully step out of range. On those rare occasions when he would land something, the punches didn’t have any effect.
Judge Burt Clemens had the fight as a shut out 120-107. Judges Dave Moretti and William Lerch were a bit closer with 119-108 and 118-109 respectively.
After the beat up, Jim Lampley and Max Kellerman suggested that since Mayweather so easily beat Marquez, and Marquez gave Pacquiao his toughest fights, that it is futile for anyone to think the Pac Man would have a chance. While in the ring with Floyd, Max Kellerman suggested to him that there was a welterweight present who the fans would like to see him fight. About then Sugar Shane Mosley came on camera. He quickly challenged Floyd, and the situation seemed to heat up a bit, but once the microphone was cut off, and things switched back to Lampley and Manny Stewart at ringside, things calmed back down.
In fairness to Floyd, it was a bit unfair to try and put him on the spot after a great win. Also, those decisions are usually left up to promoters and managers, but everyone knows that if Floyd wants the fight, it will be made.
With this big win, expect Floyd to use it as a mandate of his greatness and an excuse to act even more arrogantly if that’s possible. There’s no telling what Uncle Roger and reclaimed father Floyd, Sr. will be spouting. There’s no arguing his greatness, but the other stuff wears thin with most fans.
The undercard showcased a rematch between Chris John and Rocky Juarez. Once again Rocky did not do enough. His biggest assault didn’t come until the twelfth round when he finally had John in some difficulty. Until then it was John using a good jab and long right hands to score points and keep Rocky at bay. The three judges scored the fight as follows: Adalaide Byrd 119-109; Herb Santos 117-111; and Glen Hamada 114-113. Hamada’s score seems awfully generous to Juarez.
Also, Cornelious Lock scored a spectacular kayo or Orlando Cruz in the fifth round and Michael Katsidis edged out a split decision over Vicente Escobedo. All in all it was a very good night of boxing; although the pie does taste bitter!