A lot is posted here about JMM.. and you never hear about Rafael.. Anyone else think Rafael was better?
I wouldn't say you never hear of him though. He is frequently mentioned as having been in a great trilogy that holds a special place in the hearts and memories of fight fans. He was very good, but a level or two below his brother
That might be what is was then .. those 4 fights with Vazquez.. it just didn't get much better for me
I followed them both from the beginning of their careers, and, actually for a number of years Rafael was considered the superior talent. It was only after years of relative obscurity fighting nobodys for the lightly regarded (at that time) WBO championship that Juan Manuel finally got a crack at the real title against Freddie Norwood (who beat him). He lucked into a real belt against a shopworn Manuel Medina before showing new life in his stoppage win over Derrick Gainer. Then he had the draw against Pacquiao and a loss against Chris John. So JMM's career was showing no signs of Hall of fame potential more than 10 years into his fighting career. At that same point, baby brother, Rafael had been the real champion in his division for 4 solid years, stopping many A level fighters (Mark Johnson, Tim Austin, Mauricio Pastrana) until his series with Isreal Vazquez ruined both fighters. It is really only the late career success of JMM that elevated him to supremacy over his younger brother.
This is spot on the money. Boxing is, by and large, a "what have you done for me lately" sport. Rafa stepped out of the spotlight as Juan was stepping in to it, but he was considered to be the better, more proven talent.
Maybe, but the Vazquez bouts were the toughest for him, getting older and fighting a younger Vazquez. They went at it 4 times and split 2-2. That was his main rival.
Ring Magazine fight of the year: 2007- Marquez/Vazquez II 2008- Marquez/Vazquez III Marquez lost both
