Prime Mancini was better than Michael Kasides so I think Marquez wins a close decision. Boom Boom was extremely well managed and protected as champion. He beat weak WBA champion Art Frias, and undeserving WBA #1 contenters (i.e. politically conntected fighters who never should have been #1) Duk Koo Kim and Orlando Romero, and beat faded former champion Ernesto Espana. He also beat an over the hill and smaller Bobby Chacon. He put up a good fight against Alexis Arguello and Livingstone Bramble , his toughest opponents. He did beat Jose Luis Ramirez though which shows if you didn't box Mancini, and stood in front of him, he could out muscle you. So, Marquez would have to utilize some ring generalship. If he strictly stood toe to toe with Mancini, he could be hurt. I think he'd box when necessariy and win a decision.
Mancini beats any Lightweight version of Marquez IMO. We saw what Katsidas was able to achieve with his strength and backed up Marquez to the ropes constantly. I just see Mancini giving JMM a bit of a going over and taking a decision, as Mancini was a lot tougher, as in better punch resistance, than Katsidas IMO.
Mancini faced his version of JMM in Arguello and it was a class too far for him. JMM has the similar accuracy, straight compact combinations that Arguello has but less power and more speed. As for comparisons with who JMMs faced, well there is obviously Katsidis and Diaz recently but then theres Pac 5lbs down and if Pac isn't clearly beating him I can't see Mancini doing the job. Mancini was more skilled than Katsidis certainly, but Katsidis is the bigger stronger man of the 2 as was Diaz
I'd take Mancini too. Marquez had Hell with Diaz in the first fight, and had to go through rough spots with a scrub like Katsidis. I think Mancini stays on top of him, and proves too strong. Mancini by decision.
