(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Last week I stated the case for Juan Manuel Marquez in his battle against former pound-for-pound king, Floyd "Money" Mayweather. This week I state the reasons why this fight should be easy money for Mayweather.
Don't get it twisted, Marquez is the goods. But Mayweather is the truth. And I'm not just talking about his boxing skills, but his match-making skills as well.
Where else can an athlete make several million dollars for 36 minutes (or less) work against an able, yet cherry-picked, opponent? In this case, Las Vegas, Nevada at the MGM Grand Arena. For Mayweather, what happens in Vegas, pay$ in Vegas.
Here's why:
1. Defense. It wins championships in baseball, basketball and football, Boxing is no different. This skill is what separates Mayweather from most fighters in the game today. Sure, he'll be able to find Mayweather, but how often will Marquez touch him?
2. Speed. Marquez has decent speed, but Mayweather has legendary speed. Ring rust or not, look for Mayweather's hand speed to win the day
3. Feet. While Marquez is the more ring-weary fighter, Floyd can still get on his bicycle (for better or for worse) and play matador to Marquez's bull. This is a recipe for counter-punching disaster for Marquez.
4. Size/Strength. Mayweather is taller, has a longer reach and has fought bigger men. Look for his punches to shake Marquez more than Marquez's shake him. Even light-hitting (but bigger) Juan Diaz stunned Marquez in their fight this year.
5. Money. A cool few millions against Marquez. $15-20 million more against the Cotto-Pacquiao winner? And a few more million to keep the I.R.S. at bay. That's Floyd's motivation as well as his nickname. Expect him to shine.
Yes, I'm betting on a late stoppage victory for Mayweather. If you don't trust me, run the numbers yourself.
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