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

I think Rafa might employ similar tactics the way Lopez went after Ponce de Leon. He'll attack, attack and unsettle the young gun early doors and maybe force a shootout. If JuanMa can take this into the last three rounds I think he wins but he's not faced anyone like Marquez.

But I don't think this is going 12 I don't think this is even going 6. All-out war and Rafa stops him inside 6.

 

It really depends on how much Rafa has left.

You couldn't make an accurate assessment off the fourth Vasquez fight (as you say), because Izzy was cut and he "really did" look a shell of his former self.

Lets admit it, an up and coming fighter has lost to a future Hall of Famer before, and himself gone onto to achieve greatness.

 

To me, if Lopez loses to Rafa it will confirm my opinion him and I'd be very surprised if he went on to do much.

Thats not knocking Marquez just that, in this situation, Lopez really should be winning this type of fight if he's as good some people think he is.

Still a great win for Rafa, over a top prospect rather than a future great...

 

I don't understand it. Lopez went life and death with Mtagwa just a couple of fights ago and Mtagwa was landing at will at the end of the fight. Then, after a solid win against Luevano and a blowout against Concepcion, Top Rank put him in with someone who has the ability to make him look silly. Top Rank are taking a massive punt on Rafa being shot and not being able to perform as well in a new divison, IMO. It's a strange choice- especially for Top Rank considering it's their new cashcow's reputation at stake. Other fights at Feather are less risky as well. I honestly think Arum's trying to get as much out of Lopez before he puts him to slaughter with Gamboa.

This is what makes it such an interesting fight, though, I suppose. As Johna said, this is one of the fights this year I have been most excited about. God forbid it got cancelled after all of the other cancellations and bull**** that's happened outside of the ropes this year:shock:.

 

I take your point.

Especially since you could say that Rafael's prime weight was two divisions south of this bout.

I like Rafa's accuracy, jab and power punches in this one, but Juan Ma will have a big stamina/work-rate advantage on him, which may enable him to pull it out. If Lopez can take Rafa's punches, then he'll just keep on bowling in until its over.

I expect Rafa to stiffen him a couple of times though and keep him "honest" before delivering a finishing flurry.

 

Thats the thing mate, he's got to keep Lopez honest. I think he's good enough to land the shots, its whether they have enough pop on them....

 

I really cannot wait for this fight! It's what boxing is all about and will be an extremely entertaining fight I think. Still undecided on a winner as of yet. Lopez has looked good, but like many here I'm leaning towards Rafa. I'm just left wondering how much Marquez has left in the tank, as the fourth Vazquez fight told us nothing.

Rafa is really growing on me. I haven't seen too many of his fights, but fully intend to watch the rest of them. Another Mexican with huge cojones just like his brother.

 

Watch his fight with Austin, Grievesy.

Its a belter, with a hell of a last round finish.

 

Will do!:good I'm planning on watching all his big fights at least. But it will have to wait a week, since I'm goin on holiday tomorrow.

 

Enjoy your holiday.:good

 

I don't think he will have enough to keep him off though, and as the fight goes it will have less affect. Juanma is younger and bigger.

 

That's a little unfair. He was controlling that fight comfortably until he gassed. He was struggling to make weight, he thought he'd get Rogers out of there early and misjudged. He paid the price for that and showed HUGE heart to come through it. To come back in his next fight and knock the **** out of Luevano, a good stylist with solid fundamentals and the ability to take advantage of Lopez's mistakes, is pretty impressive.

Yes, he might struggle with pressure fighters based on that, but that's not Marquez. Rafa's still a good fighter, but even at his best he's a bit chinny, very prone to dropping his left when he throws the right and Lopez, a southpaw, can take advantage of that.

I think this is a close fight. But to discredit Lopez based on one bad night where he was posting a comprehensive victory seems a bit much.