Money is back this Saturday night. After a lengthy layoff and a WWE WrestleMania win, Floyd Mayweather Jr. returns to boxing. Juan Manuel Márquez moves up to welterweight to fight Mayweather after winning a few lightweight championships. Fans could see one of the biggest upsets in boxing this Saturday night.
Let’s not kid ourselves here. This fight is a tune up for Money Mayweather. The money (all pun intended) is on Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao. Rather than jump into the lion’s den, Mayweather will shake off some ring rust against Marquez. Could a year and a half off come back to haunt Mayweather this Saturday night?
This isn’t Marquez’s first dance with an elite boxer. Marquez actually has two fights with Manny Pacquiao under his belt. Pacquiao was never able to put Marquez away in 24 rounds. Marquez actually survived three knockdowns in the first round in their first fight. The first fight was a draw and Pacquiao won the second via split decision. The second fight is one of the most controversial decisions of the decade, as many (me included) felt Marquez was robbed.
Guts or stupidity, whatever the reason Floyd Mayweather has picked Juan Marquez as his first fight out of retirement. I have read and listened to casual fans pick this as a Mayweather slaughter. I disagree completely. Mayweather will likely win, but this isn’t going to be Mayweather-Hatton. This one could get ugly if Money doesn’t end it quick, because Marquez is the kind of a fighter who seems to get stronger as the fight goes on.
The big winner here either way is boxing. Boxing desperately needs a shot in the arm right now. The fight will be going head to head with UFC 103 on pay per view. If Marquez wins, a Pacquiao-Marquez III bout should be a given. If Mayweather wins, I think we finally get the Mayweather-Pacquiao bout boxing fans have been waiting for. Regardless of the winner, it is up to Manny P to step up, fight the winner, and give boxing a much needed shot in the arm.
Place your bets at BetUs.com by clicking here or Bodog Sportsbook.
See Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. the Big Show on the WrestleMania 24 DVD by clicking here.
To purchase the boxing video game Fight Night: Round 4, click here.