This is a great match up...Cheers to the OP. I can see Rosario putting Marquez down...but I can't see him staying down. Marquez had/has amazing heart, and he can also make adjustments to survive as he needed to...then make further adjustments to win a fight. I think as the fight wears on, Rosario had a pattern in coming straight at opponents...and he could be caught. Marquez threw beautiful combinations, and I think Rosario would be right there...on the end of them. Marquez for me has the better track record in making adjustments, and is the more durable of the two...Rosario has the power, but hasn't shown the ability to change up in the ring..if his original plan isn't working...I think the best version of Arguello at lightweight beats Rosario as well... I think Marquez takes over by the middle rounds and takes a UD.
Marquez was a very skilled technical fighter and the consummate combination and counter puncher. Rosario hit like a mule but in a exciting fight JMMM is too cagey and in a fight similar to Chavez vs Rosario he is brutally dismantled by JMM and tko late.
At 135, I lean towards Rosario. Take away the one fluke knockout of Pacquiao (in a fight he was getting battered pretty good before landing the perfect punch), and there isn't really a very strong resume at 135 and above for Marquez. Marquez was best at featherweight and super featherweight. Rosario is one of the hardest punching Lightweights in history. Marquez had a tendency to get hit and dropped early in fights. Even the somewhat limited Juan Diaz had Marquez in serious trouble at lightweight. If Rosario caught JMM like that, he would NOT let him off the hook.
I agree that Marquez is an excellent technician and counter puncher. But, Marquez was nowhere near as physically strong as Chavez. Not even after what appeared to be major doses of PEDs.
Marquez was a good fighter but he's no Chavez. This is a 50/50 fight IMO, maybe slightly favour Marquez.
