...but it was close to that. Last night, Floyd Mayweather Jr. made his return to boxing after an approximate 21 month average. Mayweather looked as though he never left. Mayweather defeated Juan Manuel Marquez, nearly shutting out what many believe to be the 2nd best fighter, pound for pound, in the sport. It was evident early on that size was definitely a factor. Marquez weighed in at 142 lbs, Mayweather at 146. The fight was originally slated to take place at 144 lbs, but Mayweather's camp requested the weight limit be raised to 147. Marquez' camp allowed the increase. It's doubtful that Marquez gained much after the weigh in, as he has never fought above 135 lbs. Mayweather was probably around 152 at fight time. Once in the ring, it looked like a junior middleweight facing a junior welterweight. Marquez, as expected, fought as well as he could. Marquez attempted to roar back after every meaningful punch landed by Mayweather, but was rarely able to land anything flush. If not for gaining Mayweather's respect with a few well timed shots, let me emphasize few, Mayweather probably would have pressed much harder for a stoppage against his smaller foe. All in all, it almost looked like a cat toying with his prey. Mayweather did drop Marquez in the 2nd, but was unable to defeat his foe inside the distance. Mayweather did land a few highlight worthy counter shots, but his commanding ring generalship was the major difference. Cat versus mouse? Not quite. More like cat vs a Chihuahua. Marquez was able to offer up a little bark, and yip yap just enough not to look like a complete victim.
The only way I can excuse Mayweather's performance is if you think he was carrying Marquez. Otherwise that fight was a farce. He could've taken any liberty he wanted with him from at least the half-way mark, and yet he chose to continue picking and pot-shotting his completely overmatched opponent.
Honestly, what a drag this fight was. The only shot Marquez had and at some point he had to know it, was to hang in there and trade with Floyd. He didn't want to do it, that's what I saw. Every time they got into an exchange, one of those exchanges that sooner or later, someone was gonna get tagged, Marquez held up. You saw this exemplified when Floyd laid on the ropes and called Marquez in. Marquez had to fight this fight up close. He was the guy that had to go in, but he didn't. Granted, he couldn't find Mayweather, but his only chance would have been to press and force an exchange that would open somebody up. But Marquez knew he was outgunned, as well as out- everything else. This fight was a good example of why I rarely spend $50 to watch a fight anymore.
I don't think he carried Marquez. I do think he may have been able to turned up the heat, impose himself, and get the stoppage. I think Floyd's mindset, and a few of Marquez' connected punches discouraged him. Marquez did not land a shot that hurt Mayweather in the entire fight. Marquez did land a few counters that reminded Floyd that he was in the ring with smart fighter. I think several the these shots came after Mayweather dropped Marquez in the 2nd. Marquez also timed Floyd with a nice right hand, I believe in the 3rd. I thought that Floyd's right hand was going to end the fight. I was really surprised at Beristain telling Marquez to focus on the hook, and not worry about Mayweather's right because he doesn't throw it. Marquez high guard is what allows him to defend hooks well, it does leave him open to shots down the middle. Marquez rolled under a quick right from Mayweather at one point in the fight, and returned fire with a quick shot of his own. The punch merely grazed Mayweather, but I think it surprised him a bit. A lot of this discouragement I speak of is due to Mayweather's mindset. Mayweather is defense first, offense second. I think he knew Marquez would get some shots in if he pursued the stoppage. Since Mayweather was dictating the fight, I think he opted to take the defensive approach. I think if Marquez were actually winning some rounds, Mayweather would have decided to eat a few punches to put Marquez away.
Did anybody really expect Marquez to do any better than he did last night? Why do you think Mayweather took this fight? Maybe he'll fight Chris John next.
I was just surprised to see that when it was do or die time, he seemed more interested in lasting the 12 than trying to win the fight. In all candor, the fight stunk a bit, stench coming out of both corners.
I had my doubts, but I was also very hopeful. Marquez has a style suited to offset Mayweather. I was worried he would be too small. I didn't really make a prediction because I could not make up my mind until they were in the ring together. If Marquez had previously fought at welter, I would have been better prepared to make a prediction. I didn't know if he could put on the lean muscle mass Pacquiao was capable of, or if he would just show up fatter. Looks like he didn't do either. At 142, Marquez was probably around the same weight as his last fight. That fight was at light weight. Had he shown up fatter, the results would have been the same at best. The extra weight may have slowed him down enough to have been stopped. The only way he would have any hope to defeat Mayweather is with 8-10 pounds of lean muscle mass, and he may not be capable of adding that.
That's a little unfair. Being brave does not have to equate to being stupid. Marquez is not going to punch when he's not in position. What good does throwing more punches do if you're out of position and going to miss? At one point I thought Marquez' best chance would be to act hurt, and get Floyd to press and give himself something to counter. Could have also been his undoing, as Floyd may have picked up the pace and knocked him out.
It was pretty one-sided. Marquez landed a couple of decent right hands, but none troubled Mayweather who looked back to his best...but we'll have to see if he truly is against a more demanding fighter. As you guys said, Marquez was simply not big enough and nor was he good enough. Floyd was very sharp last night. I thought the post-fight interview was more exciting than the fight, to be honest.
I'm not questioning his bravery. Nobody lasts too long in the game without it. Stupid? Maybe so, but how smart was it once we're into the 10th, 11th, 12th round to not force a fight wherein you haven't won a round? My bet is that he would have gotten knocked out, if he were to hang in and trade with Floyd, but did he a choice, any shot of winning the fight if he didn't?
Ha, funny you should mention that. That's exactly what I said, "It was the best "fight" of the night."
The fight was a farce and turned out exactly as predicted. PBF should bow his head in shame for what he is doing to boxing.