The term "Typical Mexican".

When commentators often refer to the "typical Mexican fighter", they are describing a come forward fighter who throws a lot of hard shots. Julio Cesar Chavez and Erik Morales can be described as the typical Mexican fighters, in my estimation. However, does this term still ring true today in the wake of a lot of more technical fighters from Mexico? I think the tide has been turning for some time.

Marco Antonio Barrera changed his style halfway through his career, and started fighting on the back foot, utilizing his Boxing ability. Naseem Hamed was befuddled by this, and ended up on the receiving end of a one sided loss at the hands of Barrera. He would later go on to outbox the likes of Jaurez, Peden, and many other fighters in the second half of his career. This was a stark contrast to his days as a Super Bantamweight when he would rarely take a backward step.

Juan Manuel Marquez is perhaps the best example I can think of though. Irrespective of his most recent fights, where he really took it to Casamayor and Diaz, Marquez made his name off being a technical counter puncher during his days as a Featherweight. Likewise, his brother Rafael Marquez, although a hard puncher, is also very technical and likes to draw mistakes from his opposition before returning with beautiful combination's to body and head. These aren't "typical Mexican fighters".

Cristian Mijares is one of the latest examples of what I'm saying. He has practically zero power, a modest amount of knockout victories, and he prides himself on being technically profocient, like the Marquez brothers, and he is also a counterpuncher. This has been seen to work against Cristian however, who has been on the wrongside of a few strange decisions. The majority felt he won his last fight against Cermeno.

Is it still typical for a Mexican fighter to be an aggressive come forward fighter?

 

Antonio Margarito and Israel Vasquez come to mind.

 

Even Julio Cesar Chavez and Erik Morales had a lot of Boxing ability. It seems as though now that the "Typical Mexican fighters" aren't right at the top of their divisions. Antonio Margarito just got destroyed, Humberto Soto usually loses when he steps up in class, Rocky Jaurez is a gate keeper at best, and Juan Diaz I felt lost last time out. I know the last two are Mexican-American.

 

I could debate your last point regarding the excellent Bernard Hopkins but I'd rather stay on topic.

When you consider that Mexico has produced great technicians as early as Canto, Zarate, and Sanchez, why does this stereotype even exist?

 

There is no evidence to suggest that Juan Manuel Marquez is a better fighter than both Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera.

They both have much better resumes than Juan Manuel Marquez, and neither of them lost to fighters like Freddie Norwood during their supposed primes.

Juan Manuel Marquez fought an aging Barrera when he was really coming into his own as a fighter and it was a very close competitive fight.

I don't like people making the assumption Marquez is the better fighter just because his prime came a lot later than both Morales' and Barrera's peak days.