2008's Most Overlooked Fight of the Year
Posted by Igor Frank on 01.15.2009
One fight last year should've gotten a lot more love than it did.
Vazquez-Marquez Photo by Laura De La Torre / 411mania.com
Casamayor-Marquez Photo by Tom Hogan / Golden Boy Promotions
The consensus FOTY, but not overlooked
2008 gave boxing fans a lot to cheer about. I feel privileged to have been ringside for Vazquez-Marquez III at the Home Depot Center early last year.
I remember feeling that I was witnessing something very special and not wanting to leave the arena after that fight was over, because I did not want that night to end. No one could object to this dramatic battle being named a fight of the year because of high drama, top skill level, amount of damage inflicted, competitive nature of the contest, blood, guts and finally gripping conclusion that had everybody on their feet. I remember thinking that I did not even care who won the fight, even though I feel the right guy got the nod. Margarito Cotto fight later last summer was equally spellbinding. I still remember how supposedly impartial media section exclaimed and jumped up on their feet as Miguel Cotto went down like a sack of potatoes from a constant pressure of Antonio Margarito in the eleventh round of the contest.
A few other bouts deservingly got a lot of ink from the media such as Marquez-Pacquiao II and Casamayor-Katsidis, but the one fight that I thought was dynamic and spectacular and did not get picked by the fans or media much was a September showdown between Juan Manuel Marquez and Joel Casamayor. So I will give it my only award of 2008 most overlooked fight of the year. Some of the media snubbed this fight from the beginning. I remember reading an article about it that predicted a boring fight, because both guys are counter punchers, and assured us of a controversial decision ending. Others only wanted to see this bout to compare Marquez's performance at lightweight with Pacquiao, since both of their battles ended with more questions than answers. But the fight itself turned out to be breathtaking. Both veterans with huge chips on their shoulders gave it their all in training and put in a performance that is one for the ages. Both combatants fought at the very elite level of the sweet science; throwing very sharp and accurate blows and moving away from their opponent's strength and counterpunching. But it wasn't just a boxing match; every shot was designed to do damage and both warriors knew they were in a fight when it was all said and done. It was a highly contested bout with Casamayor seemingly having an edge early and Marquez getting the better of it in the later rounds: two of the judges had this fight dead even after ten rounds. In the eleventh round Marquez went beyond the usual and produced a spectacular knock out over an opponent, who has never been stopped before, thus by creating uproar among mostly Mexican fans at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Another reason why this magnificent battle went under the radar was that it was experimentally televised by Golden Boy Pay Per View and not HBO, so no one could see the replay of it next week. Maybe Golden Boy would let ESPN classics televise it this year. It would definitely be worth while to watch it. When the bout ended and Casamayor was down for the second time and referee was stopping the drama, no one in the arena was disappointed.
"I wanted to win the fight for all my Mexican fans," said elated Marquez. "We moved up in weight to fight Casamayor. I'll fight whoever my promoter wants me to fight."
And the fight that his promoter wants is February 28th showdown with a young lion Juan Diaz on his home turf in Houston, Texas. This is a very tough test against an opponent who is younger, bigger and stronger and who is going to fight in front of his home town fans. Despite all that Marquez has what it takes to win this contest and he must win it if he ever wants to have a chance to reach coveted 3rd bout with Pacquiao.
So for Marquez Pacquiao III to take place at the end of 2009 only few things have to happen: Marquez has to beat Diaz and then move up to 140 pound division and beat one of the title holders and Pac-Man has to dispose of Ricky Hatton in May. Why not dream big?
Meanwhile, do not overlook Marquez-Diaz in February. If styles make fights, this one has a candidate for a fight of the year written all over it.
I think it's easy to overlook this fight as it was sandwiched between some other megafights. Plus it wasn't as hyped up but I have to say, it was a fun fight to watch. An offensive chess match with a surprise ending. Marquez looked great!
Posted By: Ramon Aranda (Registered) on January 15, 2009 at 01:02 AM
Quite frankly, Casamayor doesn't even EXIST in my world until he rematches Jose Armando Santa Cruz.
Period. End of Story.
Posted By: Ryan Kaye (Guest) on January 18, 2009 at 02:13 PM
A few other bouts deservingly got a lot of ink from the media such as Marquez-Pacquiao II and Casamayor-Katsidis, but the one fight that I thought was dynamic and spectacular and did not get picked by the fans or media much was a September showdown between Juan Manuel Marquez and Joel Casamayor. So I will give it my only award of 2008 most overlooked fight of the year. Some of the media snubbed this fight from the beginning. I remember reading an article about it that predicted a boring fight, because both guys are counter punchers, and assured us of a controversial decision ending. Others only wanted to see this bout to compare Marquez's performance at lightweight with Pacquiao, since both of their battles ended with more questions than answers. But the fight itself turned out to be breathtaking. Both veterans with huge chips on their shoulders gave it their all in training and put in a performance that is one for the ages. Both combatants fought at the very elite level of the sweet science; throwing very sharp and accurate blows and moving away from their opponent's strength and counterpunching. But it wasn't just a boxing match; every shot was designed to do damage and both warriors knew they were in a fight when it was all said and done. It was a highly contested bout with Casamayor seemingly having an edge early and Marquez getting the better of it in the later rounds: two of the judges had this fight dead even after ten rounds. In the eleventh round Marquez went beyond the usual and produced a spectacular knock out over an opponent, who has never been stopped before, thus by creating uproar among mostly Mexican fans at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Another reason why this magnificent battle went under the radar was that it was experimentally televised by Golden Boy Pay Per View and not HBO, so no one could see the replay of it next week. Maybe Golden Boy would let ESPN classics televise it this year. It would definitely be worth while to watch it. When the bout ended and Casamayor was down for the second time and referee was stopping the drama, no one in the arena was disappointed.
