Marquez would beat him. Esparragoza was a powerful hitter but not as accomplished as Barrera or Pacquiao. His aggressive style would play in Marquez's hands. He never fought anyone as precise and controlled as Marquez. Cruz was a very decent boxer who managed to upset McGuigan and hold the title for around a year before being defeated by Esparragoza. Cruz a fine boxer never had Marquez's variation or resume. The prime Marquez 2002-2005 would have probably won on points.
Neither is Marquez, though he's still arguably a better fighter than either. If Esparragoza was wild and/or flawed technically like Pacquiao can be I'd agree, but he was just as technically sound as Marquez IMO, though more aggressive in comparison to Marquez's usual counter-punching style. Marquez is more than willing to mix it up at times though.
Thats what counts the most in a H2H match-up. Marquez in your opinion is arguably better than both Barrera and Pacquiao and that IMO further enhances him as a fighter. It does IMO as I think at his best he's better than both. Esparragoza never faced the same quality Marquez did and that counts for a lot as well. I'm talking about a prime Marquez. People continually match Marquez against other greats and say his defense was poor and he takes too many punches. Outwith his three knockdowns against Pacquiao in their first fight his defense was very good throughout the fight and his prime for that matter. Against Barrera and the rematch against Pacquiao he had became more hittable. His reflexes were clearly diminishing around the time he was fighting Jandaeng and Jaca. Marquez at his best wasn't willing to mix it up like he has been doing recently (last two years) I'll take the style of Marquez over the aggressive Esparragoza.
Antonio could box off the backfoot if he so desired, he wasn`t always the aggressor in there. He knew how to make full use of his advantages in height and reach and I feel he would have kept JMM at the end of his jab and made him come to him instead to create counterpunching opportunitys. JMM was quicker on his feet and had the faster mitts as well, but he`d have to work his way in on the taller Venezuelan and this is a role he wasn`t particularly comfortable with. If Antonio boxes his man I favour him to win a decision, but if he plays the role of the aggressor a young JMM would probably have been too quick and accurate with his punches over 12 for Esparragoza. Would have been a good fight though.
Victor Polo was a decent operator. He was taller than Marquez (5'9" or 5'10"), used his height, wasn't overly aggressive, and Marquez never had much trouble in picking him apart. In no way am I saying that Polo was as good as Esparragoza, just adding that he was a decent boxer who used his height and jab who came up short against Marquez. Esparragoza certainly had more authoritive power than Polo. I don't think Marquez would need to get in close on him stricly based on being the shorter of the two. Thats arguable. Marquez was at his best when standing within arms length, shifting around, jabbing, drawing leads, then countering. IMO Esparragoza would more than likely be forced into the aggressor, especially with his power on tap. He'd be the aggressor more often than not. Marquez on points in a highly competitive fight.
