Mexican land has always been famous for its very bright boxers who have always been characterized by their excellent stamina, endurance, composure and discipline in the ring. But even in this cohort of prominent fighters, a legendary man named Juan Manuel Marquez stands apart, whose biography will be studied in detail in this article.
Only numbers
The future multiple world champion was born on August 23, 1973 in Mexico City. Nowadays, the boxer lives in the US state of Florida, the city of Orlando. The athlete fought in the category of up to 61 kilograms and was right-handed. The growth and scope of the hands of a fighter is the same and is 170 centimeters. He held 49 fights in amateur boxing, of which he lost only 3. In 2012, he was recognized as the boxer of the year according to the authoritative publication The Ring. He is also considered the champion of the decade according to WBO in the lightweight division.
Career in the professional ring
Marquez Juan Manuel first stepped into the square of the ring as a professional in the spring of 1993. His first fight was a featherweight. The debut was unsuccessful, because the Mexican lost to his fellow countryman Duran. After which, for several years, our hero performed, as they say, "on a quiet wave."
In early 1997, Marquez Juan Manuel first fought for the championship belt against Cedric Mingo. As a result, the Mexican defeated the American and won the WBO NABO featherweight title.
Two years later, the champion boxed with the then-current WBA belt holder Norwood. Unfortunately for the Mexican fans, their compatriot lost.
However, already in 2003, fate gave another chance to Juan, and he was able to beat Manuel Medina, thereby winning the vacant IBF belt.
First fight with Pacquiao
In the spring of 2004, Juan Manuel Marquez, whose fights were always spectacular, held a duel with Filipino Manny Pacquiao. Already in the first three minutes, the Mexican was knocked down, but was able to continue the fight. According to the results of all planned rounds, a draw was announced. In fairness, it is worth saying that many experts considered this decision unfair, giving preference to Marquez.
Continuation of sports life
In the autumn of that year, Marquez fought with Solido and successfully managed to defend his regalia. Then he defeated Victor Polo in May 2005. But in the spring of 2006, Marquez Juan Manuel suddenly lost to Chris John in Indonesia. A year later, the Mexican goes into the second featherweight.
The second fight with the Filipino
In the spring of 2008, Marquez met again with Pacquiao. During the battle in the second round, Manny missed a serious blow, but was able to stand on his feet. But already in the next round, Juan fell into a similar situation, who nevertheless fell, but was able to rise. Ultimately, Pacquiao was declared the winner.
This defeat did not put an end to the career of the Mexican, and the very next year he could again get two champion belts - WBO and WBA Super. To do this, he had to defeat Juan Diaz.
Middleweight fight
In 2009, Floyd Mayweather Jr. decided to re-enter the ring. And as a rival, he chose Marquez. The fight was in the framework of 144 pounds, which saved the Mexican from losing his titles, because he devastatingly gave the American a judicial decision, having been knocked down in the second round during the battle.
Then there was a rematch with Diaz, in which Marquez Juan Manuel again celebrated the victory. After which the belt defense was successful in the confrontation with the Australian Michael Katsids.
Third fight with Manny
In November 2011, the Mexican once again boxed against the Filipino. And again, the battle was competitive and did not allow to identify a clear winner. The fight went the whole distance and ended in a judicial decision in favor of Pacquiao.
In April 2012, Marquez was able to defeat Sergey Fedchenko and thereby receive the title of interim champion in the first lightweight title according to the WBO. A little later, the full-fledged champion of the division moved to a new weight, and Juan was declared the real champion.
Bright victory
November 8, 2012 went down in the history of world boxing, because that evening a duel took place, which was recognized as an event of the year, knockout of the year and the best round of the year. Once again, Marquez and Pacquiao shone on the canvas. Already in the third round, the Mexican was able to knock down the Filipino, but already in the fifth three-minute everything happened quite the opposite. However, no one expected the ending of the match, which eventually happened. In the sixth round, Pacquiao rushed forward and literally ran into a powerful forward strike, after which Manny fell face down and could not recover for several minutes, being in a knockout.
In October 2013, Juan Manuel Marquez, whose weight at that time was part of the welterweight, fought with Timothy Bradley for the vacant WBO title. The match was held in an equal fight, but the American was a little better, who was recognized as the winner.
Juan held his last fight in his professional career on May 17, 2014. His opponent was Mike Alvorado. The fight ended in victory on Mexican points.