WBO/WBA lightweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez looked as good as ever in scoring a ninth round TKO over Michael Katsidis in Las Vegas. Katsidis applied pressure throughout and even dropped Marquez in the third with a perfect left hook to the chin. The knockdown, however, hardly slowed down Marquez, who was just too skilled and too accurate for Katsidis. In round nine, Marquez hurt Katsidis with a series of combinations, prompting referee Kenny Bayless to jump in and stop the fight. Katsidis was still on his feet and trying to fire back, but no one complained at the timing of the stoppage. After eight rounds, all three judges Marquez ahead: 78-74, 77-74 and 76-75. A third meeting with Manny Pacquiao could be next for the 37-year-old Marquez.
On the undercard, WBC welterweight champ Andre Berto stopped Freddy Hernandez with a crunching right hand in round one. Hernandez got to his feet but referee Russell Mora wisely waved it off at 2:07 of the first. Berto, now 27-0, is being mentioned as a possible opponent for Manny Pacquiao. While he may deserve it based on talent, he hasn't yet earned it in the ring. Shane Mosely or Miguel Cotto would be a good test for the talented 27-year-old.
Also on the undercard, Jason Litzau scored a big upset over former super bantamweight champ Celestino Caballero in a super featherweight ten rounder. Caballero, who appeared underprepared and overconfident, looked awful. Litzau, a 13-1 underdog, fought with passion and was awarded a well-deserved win by split decision, with two judges scoring in his favor (97-93, 96-94) while the third judge scored the fight for Caballero (96-94).
Comments
Let us all ban together as boxing fans and not purchase another pay-per-view or boxing ticket for a pac-man or floyd fight unless they are fighting each other. No other fighter is on their level and if we keep trying to come up with matchups that we hope and dream look good on paper, we will keep getting what we’re getting (MAYBE one close round). I mean, come on, the only threat Floyd had in his last 3 fights was one single punch from Sugar Shane. WTF. The Fight WILL Happen. Its GOT to happen. Hopefully sooner rather than later. But us boxing fans have got to stop accepting all the bs in between. No we dont want to see Cotto fight pac man again, No Marquez cannot f’ wit Pac at this stage in his career, No we dont want to see Pac move up more in weight to fight Martinez. No. No. NO!
Marquez is not ready for Pacman
The Marquez Katsidis fight was exciting as long as it lasted. Katsidis had the heart, but Marquez had the heart and the skill. Both men are to be complimented. I agree with Johnnie and Steven, the vistory over Katsidis should not buy Marquez a match with the Pac-man; it would be a mismatch. Unfortunately, I think Mr. Mayweather’s life and legal issues and how he treats people has got him so tied up that his marketing equation is rapidly diminishing. In a different way, the excellent life habits of Mr. Pacquiao, and his new career as a politician, may lessen his desire to conquer more people in the ring.
johnnie,
ill do whatever i wanna do with my money. if pac-floyd cant be made then i wanna see a pac-marquez trilogy. im buying that fight for sure. as for your poor ass, you can stream it if you like
P.T. Barnum had something to say about folks easy to spend their money. Mr. Mayweather has mostly carefully selected opponents, as pointed out by many, who are on the downslope of their talents. There is not much chance that he would fight Manny Pacquiao until 2012 at the earliest. Of course, the latest problems he has has with the law, and as pointed out by the late Arturo Gatti in an interview, was Mr. Mayweather’s habit of treating women badly. Of course, Gatti was well on the downslope of his long career when he fought Mayweather. Much the same was the case with Shane Mosely. What Mayweather lacks is the heart of a Gatti or a Mosely. I do not see a Pacquiao match soon, even if Mayweather escapes severe legal penalties this time. I do think Pacquiao has a whole other dimension to his life beyond the ring and love of his home country, that he will soon leave the sport.
Don’t penalize Pacman for mayweather not wanting to fight. Ge t Marquez as his next opponent as he probably beat Pac in the first two fights. This would be interesting.
marquez beats pac man next time. pac said he dont want to fight him again.