By Ronan Keenan

Photo © JC Diaz/FightWireImages.com

When Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press the concept of education changed forever. The arrival of the textbook meant students could now learn a craft by adhering to a set of written instructions.  

If ever there was a fighter who could be described as textbook, it’s Juan Manuel Marquez. He does everything a model practitioner of the Sweet Science should do. Whether it’s his sturdy jab, tight guard or collected composure, Marquez is certain display the classic fundamentals of the game.

But doing everything correctly doesn’t always result in greatness. Van Gough, Renoir and Picasso produced artwork that broke the boundaries of tradition. Joyce, Milton and Whitman wrote in a manner far removed from what was taught in school, while Ali, Robinson and Leonard achieved immortality with fighting styles that angered purists.

The greats always take risks. They defy the rules and stand out from the crowd by doing things their way. Ironically, such trailblazers usually have gaping flaws in their technique, yet their daring boldness sees them prevail.

Isn’t it a shame that Marquez, a diligent fighter who has done everything ‘right’, gets overlooked by guys who ignore convention? 

 

“Unfortunately, the best fighters out there are not always the biggest draws,” boxing writer Ted Bodenrader told BoxingScene.com. “Marquez is light years ahead of a guy like Arturo Gatti in the skills department, but ask ten fight fans who they’d rather slap down fifty bucks to watch. It won’t be Marquez. That’s why I don't think Marquez will be remembered in the same scope as guys like Barrera, Morales, and (Julio Caesar) Chavez, who provided endless highlight reels.”

Excitement hasn’t been synonymous with Marquez during his 46-3-1 (35) career. His most thrilling fight was absorbing only because he was floored three times in the first round by the cyclonic Manny Pacquiao. But the subsequent eleven rounds were rather more monotonous as Marquez demonstrated a pugilistic masterclass in shutting out the Filipino, even though the contest ultimately ended even on the scorecards.

The Mexican doesn’t get many breaks. A rematch to that memorable 2004 clash never materialized as Marquez’ trainer/manager Ignacio Beristain somehow turned down the $750,000 offer and instead guided his fighter to two trivial bouts with fringe contenders. Moreover, he then sent his fighter to Indonesia to face the dangerous Chris John for a $30,000 paycheck. Marquez’ lack of firepower cost him dearly against John as he lost a controversial decision in a bout that surely would have gone his way had it been staged nearer to home.

Still, being skipped in the queue is nothing new to ‘Dinamita’. He was Naseem Hamed’s mandatory challenger for years, yet the ‘Prince’ constantly refused to recognise him. Then, when Marquez finally got a shot at a title, it came against the ridiculously awkward Freddie Norwood. Many observers felt Marquez did enough to claim the win, but not many cared as the bout turned out to be a stinker for the ages.

Nonetheless, the assiduous Marquez knows how to persevere and has worked his way to a 130lbs championship showdown with Marco Antonio Barrera this Saturday in what will surely be his last chance at achieving any degree of greatness.

“We toss the term ‘career-defining fight’ around so much it's become a cliché, but that’s exactly what this is for Marquez,” said Don Stewart of the Reading Eagle. “Whether or not you thought he deserved the decision against Pacquiao, and whether or not you thought he was robbed against Chris John, he has to beat a real superstar, and he hasn't done that yet.”

But will a victory over an ageing Barrera be enough to ensure immortality for Marquez?

“The only way to achieve that will be to knock off Barrera and do so in spectacular fashion,” added Bodenrader. “If he outpoints Barrera, it won't have the same effect as if he goes out and destroys him the way Pacquiao did. At this point in Barrera's career, a points loss won't do much to tarnish his legacy. On the flipside, it won't do much to build Marquez, who has long been one of the premier featherweights in the game.”

Marquez’ over-reliance on doing everything ‘by the book’ and apparent lack of killer instinct have kept him out of the spotlight. What’s more, evidence began to mount that his experience with Pacquiao had diminished his desire for the sport.

Instead of capitalizing on the momentum generated form that bout, Marquez lost any newfound appeal by turning in subdued performances in his subsequent victories over Orlando Salido and Victor Polo. Although he performed to his usual high standard, Marquez never showed any intention of stamping his authority on the fights. If he had attempted to inject a bit more sparkle his promoter Top Rank may have at least made a bid to stage his showdown with John. Alternatively, they concentrated their attention on Marquez’ compatriot Erik Morales, a fighter who was never afraid to move in for the kill.

Yet after setback to John, the 33-year-old Marquez has shown signs of adopting a more dogged, business-like mindset. Since last summer he has made moves on both sides of the ropes that have signaled his intent on claiming a larger portion of the limelight. Step one of his new outlook was to sign with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, in a move that subsequently brought the Barrera bout to fruition.

Marquez then took his fresh attitude into the ring and ruthlessly dispatched the rugged Terdsak Jandaeng and Jimrex Jaca in seven and nine rounds respectively. He showed a novel willingness to stand in front of his opponents and bang away to the body and head with blistering combinations that haven’t been seen since his Inglewood Forum days.

“My experience of past fights brought about the change [in my fighting style],” stated Marquez. “I was given losses that I know I didn’t deserve. I never lost those fights. I was getting robbed by judges. I don’t want to leave anything to the judges anymore. I decided that from now on I want to win by knockout.”

Valiant words. But can his new style be effective against the indomitable ‘Baby Faced Assassin’?

“Marquez may very well go out and outslick Barrera,” said Bodenrader. “But I don't see him coming up with that eye-catching knockout win.”

Still, a dull points win over an ostensibly fading Barrera is unlikely to garner ‘Dinamita’ many new fans, and the opportunity to make the transition to stardom may never arise again.

“This really has the feel of a passing-the-torch type of fight,” Stewart said. “Marquez has to take it now. He doesn't have the mileage Barrera does, but he's 33 as well. This is his moment, and if he doesn't seize it, I doubt he'll ever get another chance. He'll fight on, obviously, and he'll win more alphabet belts, but I can't see him ever breaking into super-star status if he's disappointing against Barrera. He might go down as a gifted guy who just couldn't win the big one. But I don't see that happening.”

With so much on the line, it’s likely Marquez will throw everything he has at Barrera. Let’s hope he throws away his textbook too.

Contact Ronan Keenan at ronankeenan@yahoo.com