Claudio "The Matrix" Marrero

Definitely. :nod

He cracks the egg shell with the jab and then just gets his beak all in there like a bluejay, pecking from everywhere at once. He works in all sorts of punches, one after another very quickly. Good variety.

He is also very relaxed on the outside in between his combination attacks. Incredibly relaxed for a newbie, but still alert on defense. Very good at using/dictating range. Who would guess from watching him against Ruiz (but not seeing the tale of the tape) that he was giving up 2" of reach there? And the switch-hitting is very, very fluid in a way you don't often see this early on. Hell, there are veterans who've logged hundreds of rounds and been switching stances for years who look stiffer and clumsier doing it.

 

Good article. (a year old, though)

http://www.maxboxing.com/news/max-b...e-matrix-marrero-i-will-become-world-champion

"My manager and trainer is Herman Caicedo, a longtime coach in this sport. He is very aware of making subtle changes in my pro style and get conditioned for 12 rounds. I know how to fight. He and I are working very hard along with my teammates, Juan Carlos Payano, Joey Hernandez, Humberto Savigne, Jesse Cruz and Shannon Briggs. These are the guys Herman trains."

:think

Apparently he was also in the corner of Lou Del Valle, a middling nineties titlist.

I'm not sure Caicedo's stable is all that deep. Obviously Claudio won't and shouldn't box anything like Briggs, who's the biggest name there. Marrero sounds happy with him, but maybe a leap to a more credentialed trainer with some better playmates to offer him could benefit him as he steps up down the line.

 

Does anybody know the result of Marrero vs. Gerardo Zayas last night?

It was on the non-televised undercard of the ESPN2 FNF in Hollywood, Florida. Marrero was making the first defense of his first minor title of his pro career (the WBC Fecarbox belt he picked up against Francis Ruiz last month). Zayas had an even record of 18-18-2 heading in but constituted a bit of a step up for Marrero, having been in with several classy operators over the years.

I can't even find the result anywhere online, let alone video. :?

 

Pacquiao would carve him up. Faster, stronger, better movement despite haphazard appearances, more explosive. El Inca never faced a fellow southpaw a tenth as good as Pac (the best by far was freaking Tony DeMarco, who Pac would eat for an afternoon snack...nevermind lunch. KO1, guaranteed...)

The whole "Valero was the antidote to Pacquiao/Marquez at SFW or LW in the latter half of last decade" spiel is a total myth.

Pacquiao would have stopped him. Marquez would have most likely beaten him with a plethora of right hand counters, although he might get dropped here and there in the process.

EV was a good, quick, powerful super featherweight in his prime. We never really saw him tested enough to gauge just how good - but he was world class, no doubt. I just don't put him up on that same pedestal with JMM and Pac. Not even close. There was no evidence whatsoever that he belonged there. It was all just wishful thinking by fans who got a little overexcited. (and of course dying young adds to the legendary mystique)

 

Nice! Thanks dude.

It sounds like he's continuing to look impressive and not getting lax. About the same as in the videos posted on here, would you say?

Did he use his signature blink-of-an-eye switch-hitting? :yep

No great shame in not stopping the tough old bull Zayas, really. A bunch of people have done so, but a lot of powerful guys have also failed.