Rafael Marquez is planning to rewrite boxing history this Saturday when he faces undefeated young lion from Puerto Rico,Juan Manuel Lopez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Should he be victorious in a twelve round contest for WBO featherweight crown that currently belongs to Lopez,Rafael would earn three championship titles in as many weight divisions throughout his hall of fame career. Ironically, the man standing in his way carries the name of his older brother,Juan Manuel.
" 126 is a really good weight for me," said Marquez while we talked during his media work out day on Monday at Justine Fortune Boxing gym in Hollywood:" I am really happy that I finally got here. This is something that I need, something that I want and something that I am very capable of doing. It's a very big fight for my career."
Rafael won his first title in February of 2003 in Las Vegas as a hundred and eighteen pounder when he stopped previously unbeaten IBF bantamweight champion,Tim Austin within eight rounds.Marquez won his second title, WBC junior featherweight championship in March of 2007 in Los Angeles in a first of four bouts with fierce rival Israel Vasquez. Most experts consider their first three fights among the best trilogies in boxing history. Their third meeting, a violent bloodbath which also took place in Los Angeles was one of the best fights I have ever covered live. Both warriors left it all in the ring on that memorable early spring night in 2008. So brutal was the combat that most pundits believed that neither of the fighters would have anything left to ever enter a squared circle again. But both dogged warriors,licked their wounds,regrouped and met again for the final chapter of their historic saga. This time fighting at featherweight limit, Marquez evened up the score when he stopped his arch rival within four rounds. The final chapter of their epic wars was a let down as it only demonstrated that career of Israel Vasquez was over. We will have to wait till this Saturday to find out exactly how much does Rafael Marquez have left.
" Obviously I have been in some tough fights and that gave me experience," said Marquez,35: " But I really don't put much stock in it. My stock is being in great condition and being able to do the things I want to do in the ring."
Spending all of his professional career under tutelage of one of the most respected trainers in boxing,Ignacio Beristain, Marquez has employed the services of a former champion Daniel Zaragoza for his final fight with Vasquez and for the current bout with Lopez." It just got to the point where Nacho wasn't training me anymore," explained Marquez(39-5,35 KO'S):" That 's the honest truth. So I thought it was time to move on. I spoke to Daniel and he took me on. He has always been a warrior inside the ring. He taught me the mentality. You saw it against Vasquez last time and you are going to see it again."
Considered one of the most intelligent and skilled boxers of today, veteran Marquez believes that acquiring services of Zaragoza will give him an extra advantage he needs to face an undefeated Puerto Rican champion. " I think for this fight he is a key," said Marquez about his new trainer: " He is not only a champion who knows what he is doing in there,he is also a left hander. I think it came at the right time. I am fighting a left hander and he is a left handed fighter. It opens a lot of opportunities for me. He taught me how to fight a left hander."
Las Vegas bookmakers have Juan Manuel Lopez as a four to one favorite to win the fight. Unbeaten champion boasts a professional record of twenty nine wins with 26 by knock out and no losses. " I am not intimidated by his record," explained Marquez:" I fought guys like him. I fought undefeated champion ,Tim Austin and I beat him. I think the key for this fight is conditioning. Whoever is better conditioned throughout twelve rounds,that is what is going to dictate the winner."
Showtime will broadcast this bout live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas this Saturday night.
Contact Igor Frank at axident@pacbell.netor check out Southern California Boxing Blog.
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