Bloodied Marquez Stops Jaca

A badly cut Juan Manuel Marquez (46-3-1) scored an impressive ninth round knockout of Jimrex Jaca (27-3-1) to stay in the mix for a big money rematch with Manny Pacquiao. Marquez suffered a nasty vertical cut over the right eye from an unintentional head butt in round five. From that point on, Marquez appeared determined to score a knockout to avoid being stopped on cuts and having the judges determine the outcome. The 23-year-old Jaca was more competitive than expected but got decked by a left hook in the ninth and sat stunned and motionless as he was counted out.

It turns out Marquez had no reason to worry about the scorecards as all three judges had him ahead 80-72 at the time of the stoppage. Not only that, but referee Laurence Cole was apparently looking out for him as well. In the eighth round, Cole did something I've never seen before in all my years of watching boxing. Cole called time to have the ringside doctor examine Marquez and, as he was walking Marquez to the corner, he told him that he was ahead on the scorecards. In other words, Cole was telling Marquez that if you don't want to continue fighting because of the cut, then you will win the fight. Cole should have no idea what the scorecards read and - even if he does - he certainly shouldn't be sharing that information with one of the fighters ... especially one that can then use that information to decide whether to continue fighting or retire on his stool! An investigation appears in order. Marquez either didn't understand Cole's too-good-to-refuse offer or, hopefully, understood it but chose instead to do the honorable thing and settle matters himself.