By Don Donatello
THIS IS WHY MARQUEZ IS NOT A MEXICAN WARRIOR.
Step up Juan Manuel Marquez, you’ve been challenged to fight Andre Berto. Bob Arum of Top Rank has called out Marquez to fight WBC Welterweight champ Andre Berto. “Put Marquez in with Berto, let’s see what he does. If he beats Berto, well, obviously, he can fight a Pacquiao,” Arum challenged. Is Marquez a Mexican Warrior? Will he show that he belongs in the fraternity of Great Mexican Warriors like Ruben Olivares, Julio Caesar Chavez, Salvador Sanchez, Erik Morales, and Marco Antonio Barrera and step up to accept the challenge? My bet is that Marquez is not too happy with the challenge.
If Marquez cannot find a viable work-around the challenge from Arum, he will be forced to take it. I suspect that the Marquez camp will gauge the fan’s reaction and will float a few options in order to avoid a fight with Berto; possibly inch toward a fight with Erik Morales. If Marquez avoids Berto and fighst Morales, scratch him off the list of Mexican Warriors.
Marquez cannot beat Berto, Marquez knows it, Berto knows it, and everyone should know it. I suspect Marquez will not take the fight against Berto. And guess what folks, Arum wins again. Marquez will now lower his asking price to fight Manny Pacquiao. He will take less, but it will have to be more than what he would have got if he fought Berto. Everyone should know that there is no money to be made in a fight involving an old, boring fighter who has proven that he does not draw the fans in. And it is also a forgone conclusion that Marquez can’t win against Andre Berto. And that is why Berto is more than happy to accept and welcome a fight with Marquez.
There is no easy way out for Marquez. The proud Mexican boxing fans haven’t truly warmed up to and embraced Marquez like they do other Mexican Champions. If he refuse to fight Berto, it would validate why the Mexican fans does not fully embrace him. A loss to Berto would finish Marquez’s career; he is almost 40 years old. Marquez is looking for a golden parachute for his retirement; Pacquiao is the only one who can provide it for him. But Marquez will have to settle for a less than golden parachute.
Since Marquez will not fight Berto, what is Marquez’s exit strategy? He can either fight another tomato can at Lighweight that will ensure another win, or fight the broken down Erik “El Terrible” Morales.
My guess is that he will fight Morales. He will choose Morales because it is a win for him and it is at a bigger weight at 140. With a win at 140 pounds, plus a downgrade in his monetary demand, Marquez will finally get his fight against Manny Pacquiao.
But he could prove me wrong, but I doubt it. He might decide to go out like a true Mexican Warrior and lay it all out against Berto. But judging his past, most of his actions suggest that he is a plodding and cunning strategist. There are two exits into retirement for Marquez, both can lead to the Pacquiao Treasure; one is Berto, the other is Morales.
The safer choice is Morales, but this choice will not land the full treasure chest, maybe not even at all. On the other hand, he can take the dangerous path to Pacquiao and fight Berto, it would be a do or die proposition that can land the Pacquiao Treasure. Marquez’s style of fighting mirrors the man behind the gloves. He does not take the “do or die” approach to anything, not in the ring, and not outside of it. He will not fight Berto, he will fight someone else, most likely Morales. Scratch Marquez from the Warrior list. Check! YOUR MOVE, MARQUEZ! Prove me wrong, I dare you!
There you have it, it’s coming straight from Arum’s mouth. He practically guaranteed that you will have a fight with Pacquiao, Mr. Juan Manuel Marquez. Beat Andre Berto at Welterweight and you have what you’ve been chasing all these years. It is simple as that. Oh-oh, here comes the excuses why Marquez should not fight Berto. It’s going to be good!
*Please refrain from leaving any Racist, Profane or Derogatory comments*
Got an Opinion? Submit Your Articles and Press Releases to be posted on NowBoxing.com
JOIN the NOW BOXING FORUM to discuss this and other boxing news topics (membership is FREE)
