Boxing
Right On The 'Money'
By Francis Walker,BASN Staff Reporter
Sep 21, 2009

Floyd Mayweather tears into Juan Manuel Marquez. Photo Credit: Tom Hogan – Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions

Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs), fighting for the first time since his tenth round knockout of Ricky Hatton in December 2007, picked apart Marquez (50-5-1, 37 KOs) to win a decisive, unanimous decision. The official scorecards read 120-107, 119-108, and 118-109 in favor of the former, undefeated five division world champion. Mayweather even scored a knockdown of Marquez off a sharp left hook.  

The bout was televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View at a suggested retail price of $49.95. 

Floyd Mayweather stands victorious. Photo Credit: Tom Hogan – Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions

Mayweather didn’t appear to be fatigued and his timing didn’t appear to be off. Mayweather didn’t miss a step, as he does train at his gym in Las Vegas throughout the year, even when he’s not fighting.  

“I am a strong individual and only the strong will survive,” Mayweather said. “I have the skills to pay the bills. It is not about who is the biggest. It is about who is the most skilled. When I get in the squared circle, I am going to do what I have to do to win.” 

Instead, Mayweather looked super while leaving Marquez fatigued and frustrated. Fatigued because, Mexican’s famed warrior was fighting as a welterweight for the first time in his career. Marquez, who previously competed as a lightweight, had only two fights at 135 pounds – a pair of sensational TKO wins against Joel Casmayor and Juan Diaz.  

Marquez then quickly moved up two weight classes to fight Mayweather at 147. Actually, the agreed upon weight contracted for the bout was 144. One of the stipulations was that Mayweather would have to fork over $300,000 per pound above the agreed 144-pound catchweight. Mayweather weighed 146 (one pound under the welterweight limit) against Marquez’ 142. Since Floyd didn’t come in at 144, he violated the terms of the contract by two pounds and was forced to surrender $600,000 of his $10 million purse to Marquez’ reported $3.2 million paycheck.  

It didn’t matter, as Mayweather soundly defeated Marquez in what was a very good “Money-May” showcase. Mayweather’s defense made it virtually impossible for Marquez to catch him solid on the chin. Mayweather was no where to be found off Marquez’ counterpunches and when “Pretty Boy” attacked, his punches were just as sharp and as straight before he retired.  

With Mayweather back on the scene it would be very interesting to see who he would fight next. Mayweather would enjoy fighting the winner of the upcoming mega fight between Miguel Cotto vs. Manny Pacquiao in November. There is also Sugar Shane Mosley, who since dethroning Antonio Margarito of the WBA welterweight title in January, hasn’t fought since.  

Either way, the money is with Mayweather and where he goes the rest will follow.  

Chris John W 12 Rocky Juarez   

Chris John proved too much for Rocky Juarez. Credit: Tom Hogan – Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions

One of the most anticipated rematches of this year occurred on the televised Mayweather-Marquez PPV undercard. Rocky Juarez was awarded a sixth opportunity to win a world title. Once again, Rocky Juarez came up short. In a rematch of their controversial 12-round draw in Juarez’ hometown of Houston, TX in February, WBA featherweight champion Chris John remains undefeated. John (43-0-1, 22 KOs) bested Juarez (28-5-1, 20 KOs) through twelve rounds, winning a unanimous decision. The scores were: 119-109, 117-111, and 114-113.  

The 30 year-old Indonesian was making the twelfth defense of his championship during a remarkable six-year title reign, stuck to his game plan and simply boxed and outworked Juarez. The challenger did land some hard punches and managed to stun John in the later rounds, but his skills weren’t better than the champion’s.  

Juarez fell to 0-5-1 in world title fights. Aside from John, Juarez also lost to Humberto Soto, Marco Antonio Barrera (twice), and Juan Manuel Marquez in championship fights. It appears as though when it really counts, Juarez comes up short. But the fighters have beaten Juarez were amongst the very fighters in the world. Juarez has also never been stopped in his career.   

Michael Katsidis W 12 Vincente Escobedo 

Michael Katsidis bashes Vincente Escobedo. Photo Credit: Tom Hogan – Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions

When Michael Katsisis made is U.S. debut fought Czar Amonsot in July 2007, he caused quite a stir because of his all-action style, aggression, speed, and power. The Australian’s world appeared to have came toward a crashing halt in 2008. In a wild fight against Joel Casamayor, Katsidis was floored three times (twice in the first) and KO’d in the tenth round. Katsidis would also lose to Juan Diaz in his hometown of Houston, TX, via split decision.  

Suddenly, Katsidis would be winless in more than 1 ½ years.  

Katsidis, having won all three of his fights in 2009, can call himself a world champion once again. Katsidis was too strong, too powerful, and too active for Vincente Escobedo to handle. Katsidis claimed the interim WBO lightweight championship for the second time in his career with a 12-round split decision on the televised portion of the Mayweather-Marquez PPV show. The judges scored the bout: 118-110 and 116-112 for Katsidis, but a laughable 112-116 for Escobedo.  

Michael Katsidis poses with interim WBO lightweight title. Photo Credit: Tom Hogan – Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions

Katsidis survived an eye laceration in the opening round to abuse Escobedo throughout the fight. Escobedo simply couldn’t keep pace with the stronger man. Katsidis’ combination-punching and straight-forward style is a favorite amongst fight fans. The type of fighter to beat Katsidis is someone who is more technical with speed and better skills.  

Marquez vs. Katsidis? Marquez, the WBA/WBO lightweight champion, was ordered by the World Boxing Organization to fight the winner of Katsidis-Escobedo if Marquez couldn’t beat Mayweather. Had Marquez become the first to defeat Mayweather, the WBO would have allowed Marquez the opportunity to fight anyone of his choosing and Katsidis would remain interim champion.  

One thing is certain and that’s Marquez will make an inevitable return to the lightweight division.  

Oscar Linares signs with De La Hoya  

Jorge Linares, pictured with Bernard Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya, signs with Golden Boy promotions. Photo Credit: Tom Hogan – Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions

Unbeaten WBC jr. lightweight champion Jorge Linares, a very talented 24-year-old Venezuelan living out of Tokyo, Japan, has signed a deal which will allow him to be promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. De La Hoya and company will work hand-in-hand with Linares’ Japanese-based handlers, Teiken Promotions when Linares fights in America. The move is an excellent choice for Linares, who wishes to make a bigger name for himself on U.S. soil.  

“I've enjoyed fighting for the fans, in Japan, Mexico and Panama, but I'm ready to fight all the top names in the sport and since they're fighting in the United States, I need to fight here too,” said Linares.  “Golden Boy Promotions has promised to help get me the big fights and I can't wait to perform here and start adding some more titles to my collection.”

Linares is no stranger to U.S. soil, however. In July 2007 in Las Vegas, NV, Linares stopped Oscar Larios to capture the vacant WBC featherweight title. Larios successfully defended that title only once before moving up in weight to capture the WBA super featherweight crown in 2008.