Reflections of Mayweather – Marquez

Evidence should lay some widespread, if inaccurate, criticism to rest regarding the contest between Floyd Mayweather Jr. (USA) and Juan Manuel Marquez (Mexico).

One touted with dubious frequency is that the Grand Rapids native was able to dominate his Mexican counterpart by virtue of an advantage in stature.  While this has been a common offering both in print and broadcast media, prior to the fight, even the most casual analysis of Compubox data subsequently should allow more rational inferences to prevail.

Compubox statistics elicit that Marquez was never able to land more than eight blows in any given round.  Eight.  He landed twelve percent of shots attempted.  These are not numbers which implicate size or even power as more meaningful factors in the bout. 

If anything, they render defense the culprit to Juan Manuel’s demise.   The inability to even make contact with the ever elusive Mayweather mooted the relevance of any perceived sized differential.  This was not a bruising, physical contest.  Mayweather did not bully Marquez with size.  He dissected him with precision, landing some sixty percent of punches thrown. 

In repeatedly scraping Marquez with a piston jab and an increasingly notorious left hook while avoiding nearly all the incoming the Mexican had to offer, Mayweather showed himself not a bigger man, but a vastly superior ring technician.

Far more subjective is the question of how and why Marquez was able to hear the final bell upright.  While even the thought of questioning his Mexicano fortitude and durability should provoke outrage, one wonders if Mayweather could have incapacitated his game, but outclassed opponent at leisure. 

After a blinding left hook downed Marquez in the second, Mayweather seemed content to potshot nonchalantly as if he were partaking in a friendly sparring session.  Briefly, during the middle rounds he resumed his attack, but downshifted again, finally, to cruise through the championship rounds when the knockout did not seem forthcoming. 

He hardly broke a sweat.

The post-fight interview, conducted by Max Kellerman, was not without event. When Mayweather seemed unwilling to address questions regarding his financial circumstances, Kellerman settled upon the issue of Mayweather’s next opponent.  

Mayweather deflected the matter to members of his management team, which incited Kellerman to suggest Shane Mosley as a candidate.  Mosley, having just entered the ring with Bernard Hopkins and company, betrayed his desperation to land a big payday by crudely disrupting the proceedings; an act which riled members of the Mayweather clan; the whole thing adopting a rather theatrical disposition.

Suggestions that Mayweather is afraid of Shane Mosley seem ludicrous in light of Floyd’s experience and talent as a fighter.  Men who make their living absorbing punches do not revere violence like ordinary men.   Fighters do not fear fighting.

More feasible, is that Floyd Mayweather Jr. will be watching the November showdown between Puerto Rican superstar Miguel Cotto and Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao with baited breath.  In either case, there is a hefty payday to be earned from a bout with the winner.  Despite all of Shane Mosley’s posturing to the contrary, the general consensus seems to be aligned with Mayweather’s inclination towards patience.

Shane will simply have to wait his turn.  Furthermore, if reports of an upcoming bout with Ghana’s Joshua Clottey are accurate, then Pomona’s finest might want to finish his breakfast before he negotiates lunch.

Finally, if Juan Manuel Marquez has risen to the welterweight division in hopes of procuring another bout with Manny Pacquiao, there is a bulldozing Boricua who might just grant his wish.