Juan Manuel Lopez vs Rafa Marquez* Fight of the Year?

Lopez has massive holes in his defensive game. Hopefully Rafa can exploit those holes.

If Rafael gets the win, and looks impressive doing it, then no one can say that he doesn't belong up there with Morales, Barrera and his brother Juan Manuel.

And yes, it could be, and hopefully it is, fight of the year.

Rafael Marquez T/KO

 

Marquez by knockout.

Better technician, more experienced, harder puncher.

Lopez will have his moments, but Marquez is just too good for him.

 

Lopez is a damn good fighter. Marquez is definitely on the slide. Lopez is young, still learning and has looked good in his last two fights. Marquez looked good against a shot to bits Vazquez.

Marquez is the better fighter overall, but Lopez offensive arsenal makes me think he'll get the job done. Marquez isn't exactly a defensive genius himself.

 

His age and the weight are negatives for Marquez but, IMHO, he's a better fighter than Lopez.

Still undecided.....

 

Press Conference

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8BJopXHw5E[/ame]

 

All depends on whether Marquez has enough left in the take for another FOTY award. I'd be shocked if he did, after the wars that he's been through.

He looked like he still had a bit of life in him for the Vasquez fight alright, but that didn't last long.

I'd say he'll have a bit of success early on against Juanma, but will be outworked later in the fight.

 

I'm looking forward to this more than any fight this year. Love rafa, he is the better technician and by far the toughest fight of juanma's career. But i think the younger, fresher man takes this. I just can't see Marquez standing up to Juanmas power after the wars with Vazquez, his punch resistance must have been affected hugely. Hope i'm wrong.

 

Unless Lopez goes on to do more people after a loss will just say (wrongly) Lopez was "exposed".

 

I have been saying it for months and I still stick with it: Rafa Marquez wins this fight. I reckon Lopez might even drop him, but Lopez is wide ****ing open and Marquez will exploit the shitloads of openings and opportunities he'll get to land and will bag enough rounds with his superior style and generalship for the decision. I don't give any credence to the idea that Marquez is 'shot' either. If Lopez manages to win this then he deserves huge kudos, IMO. Hell of a fight and I'm really looking forward to it:bbb.

 

Exactly.

Mark "Toop Sharp" Johnson x 2
Tim Austin
Silence Mabuza x 2
Israel Vasquez x 2
Juan Manuel Lopez ????

That would be a hell of a stacked resume.

Plus it would look even better if Juan Manuel Lopez goes on to achieve greatness himself, despite the loss.

 

I'm not all that sold on Lopez, never have been at this level.

At WBO and world title level yes, but the elite P4P'ers..... I'm yet to be convinced.

If he does a job here then fair play :deal

 

Sorry to snip your post mate but the rest was spot on (although I'm not sure how much credit would be given for the second Vasquez win)

but.....

If Lopez loses to Rafa then the chances are that he won't got on to greatness IMHO. A real top guy should be able to win in this type of fight, hes got age and weight on his side.