lpinoy
08-01-2010, 05:41 PM
C/P
Aug 1 2010
LAS VEGAS - Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez kept his World Boxing Association lightweight throne yesterday with a unanimous 12-round decision over Juan Diaz, then called out Filipino star Manny Pacquiao.
Marquez took a rematch of a slugfest from last year by judges' scores of 118-110 117-111 and 116-112, improving the 36-year-old fighter's record to 51-5 with one drawn. Diaz fell to 35-4.
Marquez twice lost to Pacquiao and although the Asian superstar has been unable to land a blockbuster fight with unbeaten United States veteran Floyd Mayweather, Marquez is hoping he might have a chance at a third swing in the ring with "Pac-Man".
"The trilogy is what I want. It's what the people want," Marquez said. "I will be ready for another fight in December, hopefully Pacquiao."
Pacquiao looks to fight Mexican Antonio Margarito in November but Marquez said his hunger to face the Filipino legend was greater than his desire to rule as World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organisation lightweight king.
"That's true. That fight is more important for me," Marquez said.
Marquez dispatched American Diaz in the ninth round in February of last year and this time was faced with a more tactical boxer-styled foe. The result, however, was the same.
"That first fight was a war. This was a bit more tactical," Marquez said. "He wanted to box a bit more but we came out ahead. He's a great fighter. He knows some technique. But tonight technique was in our favour."
Marquez staggered Diaz with a left uppercut in the fourth round, cut the challenger's lower lip in the ninth and owned the fight almost from end to end.
"I fulfilled the game plan, used my jab, but Juan Manuel Marquez is a great fighter," Diaz said. "He was the better man."
Having lost four of his past six fights and with plans to start law school in October, Diaz might be looking at the end of his ring career at 26.
"I have to reconsider all the facts," he said. "We will have to see. I have put up a hell of a fight for 10 years."
Since losing to Marquez in Houston, Diaz split two fights against countryman Paul Malignaggi.
Marquez' only fight since beating Diaz last year came last September when he stepped up to welterweight and lost to undefeated Mayweather by unanimous decision.
Aug 1 2010
LAS VEGAS - Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez kept his World Boxing Association lightweight throne yesterday with a unanimous 12-round decision over Juan Diaz, then called out Filipino star Manny Pacquiao.
Marquez took a rematch of a slugfest from last year by judges' scores of 118-110 117-111 and 116-112, improving the 36-year-old fighter's record to 51-5 with one drawn. Diaz fell to 35-4.
Marquez twice lost to Pacquiao and although the Asian superstar has been unable to land a blockbuster fight with unbeaten United States veteran Floyd Mayweather, Marquez is hoping he might have a chance at a third swing in the ring with "Pac-Man".
"The trilogy is what I want. It's what the people want," Marquez said. "I will be ready for another fight in December, hopefully Pacquiao."
Pacquiao looks to fight Mexican Antonio Margarito in November but Marquez said his hunger to face the Filipino legend was greater than his desire to rule as World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organisation lightweight king.
"That's true. That fight is more important for me," Marquez said.
Marquez dispatched American Diaz in the ninth round in February of last year and this time was faced with a more tactical boxer-styled foe. The result, however, was the same.
"That first fight was a war. This was a bit more tactical," Marquez said. "He wanted to box a bit more but we came out ahead. He's a great fighter. He knows some technique. But tonight technique was in our favour."
Marquez staggered Diaz with a left uppercut in the fourth round, cut the challenger's lower lip in the ninth and owned the fight almost from end to end.
"I fulfilled the game plan, used my jab, but Juan Manuel Marquez is a great fighter," Diaz said. "He was the better man."
Having lost four of his past six fights and with plans to start law school in October, Diaz might be looking at the end of his ring career at 26.
"I have to reconsider all the facts," he said. "We will have to see. I have put up a hell of a fight for 10 years."
Since losing to Marquez in Houston, Diaz split two fights against countryman Paul Malignaggi.
Marquez' only fight since beating Diaz last year came last September when he stepped up to welterweight and lost to undefeated Mayweather by unanimous decision.