KIDWCKED
01-01-2010, 09:09 PM
c\p from espn
When Juan Manuel Marquez signed to defend the lightweight title against former titlist Juan Diaz, you just knew it would be an exciting fight.
Marquez, a crafty counterpuncher who can also go toe-to-toe, had been in some terrific bouts, including two memorable slugfests with Manny Pacquiao.
Diaz, who had the hometown advantage at Houston's Toyota Center for their Feb. 28 showdown, is a relentless pressure fighter who had also engaged in a number of fast-paced barn burners.
Rafael's Rounds of the Year
Year Fighter Round
2009 Juan Manuel Marquez-Juan Diaz 1st
2008 Kendall Holt-Ricardo Torres II 1st
2007 Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez II 3rd
2006 Somsak Sithchatchawal-Mahyar Monshipour 9th
2005 Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo I 10th
2004 Marco Antonio Barrera-Erik Morales III 11th
2003 Acelino "Popo" Freitas-Jorge Barrios 11th
2002 Micky Ward-Arturo Gatti I 9th
2001 Micky Ward-Emanuel Burton 9th
2000 Erik Morales-Marco Antonio Barrera I 5th
So when the bell rang and the fight began, the anticipation was electric. Most of the 14,571 who packed the joint were on their feet, many cheering for the local kid and a large portion cheering for Mexico's Marquez.
Marquez and Diaz didn't let any of them down. As soon as the fight started, they were throwing down immediately at an accelerated pace, which never really slowed down. There would be no feeling-out period, no get-to-know-you rounds.
Although there were no knockdowns or intense drama, the first round of Marquez-Diaz -- a bout Marquez eventually would win by ninth-round knockout -- was a microcosm of a fantastic fight. The first three minutes set the tone, which is why it rates as the 2009 ESPN.com Round of the Year in a year with a number of worthy candidates.
Marquez and Diaz each simply came out with their foot on the gas and continued to put the pedal to the metal all night.
"Already the pressure from Diaz begins," said HBO's Jim Lampley as the "Baby Bull" fired away in the early moments of the fight.
A minute into the fight, Marquez and Diaz were in each other's chests, trading with abandon in a corner, both connecting with hard shots.
"This is going to be a hellacious war," Lampley said.
He was on point.
Marquez and Diaz continued to trade, most intensely in the final 20 seconds of the round when Diaz landed a right hand and a left hook that staggered Marquez along the ropes.
But Marquez regrouped and fired back. He landed a stiff right hand and a left that pushed Diaz back as the bell sounded.
"Round 1 is an all-out war," barked Lampley as the exceptional round came to a close.
How sizzling a round was it?
According to CompuBox statistics, Diaz connected on 31 of 104 blows, while Marquez landed 29 of 95 punches. Marquez had never thrown more punches in a round in any of his numerous bouts tracked by CompuBox through the years.
What a tremendous way to begin what turned out to be a special fight.
When Juan Manuel Marquez signed to defend the lightweight title against former titlist Juan Diaz, you just knew it would be an exciting fight.
Marquez, a crafty counterpuncher who can also go toe-to-toe, had been in some terrific bouts, including two memorable slugfests with Manny Pacquiao.
Diaz, who had the hometown advantage at Houston's Toyota Center for their Feb. 28 showdown, is a relentless pressure fighter who had also engaged in a number of fast-paced barn burners.
Rafael's Rounds of the Year
Year Fighter Round
2009 Juan Manuel Marquez-Juan Diaz 1st
2008 Kendall Holt-Ricardo Torres II 1st
2007 Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez II 3rd
2006 Somsak Sithchatchawal-Mahyar Monshipour 9th
2005 Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo I 10th
2004 Marco Antonio Barrera-Erik Morales III 11th
2003 Acelino "Popo" Freitas-Jorge Barrios 11th
2002 Micky Ward-Arturo Gatti I 9th
2001 Micky Ward-Emanuel Burton 9th
2000 Erik Morales-Marco Antonio Barrera I 5th
So when the bell rang and the fight began, the anticipation was electric. Most of the 14,571 who packed the joint were on their feet, many cheering for the local kid and a large portion cheering for Mexico's Marquez.
Marquez and Diaz didn't let any of them down. As soon as the fight started, they were throwing down immediately at an accelerated pace, which never really slowed down. There would be no feeling-out period, no get-to-know-you rounds.
Although there were no knockdowns or intense drama, the first round of Marquez-Diaz -- a bout Marquez eventually would win by ninth-round knockout -- was a microcosm of a fantastic fight. The first three minutes set the tone, which is why it rates as the 2009 ESPN.com Round of the Year in a year with a number of worthy candidates.
Marquez and Diaz each simply came out with their foot on the gas and continued to put the pedal to the metal all night.
"Already the pressure from Diaz begins," said HBO's Jim Lampley as the "Baby Bull" fired away in the early moments of the fight.
A minute into the fight, Marquez and Diaz were in each other's chests, trading with abandon in a corner, both connecting with hard shots.
"This is going to be a hellacious war," Lampley said.
He was on point.
Marquez and Diaz continued to trade, most intensely in the final 20 seconds of the round when Diaz landed a right hand and a left hook that staggered Marquez along the ropes.
But Marquez regrouped and fired back. He landed a stiff right hand and a left that pushed Diaz back as the bell sounded.
"Round 1 is an all-out war," barked Lampley as the exceptional round came to a close.
How sizzling a round was it?
According to CompuBox statistics, Diaz connected on 31 of 104 blows, while Marquez landed 29 of 95 punches. Marquez had never thrown more punches in a round in any of his numerous bouts tracked by CompuBox through the years.
What a tremendous way to begin what turned out to be a special fight.