Juan Manuel Marquez has captured the eyes of many fight fans and spectators. Aside from his pinpoint accuracy and willingness to go the distance and dominate his foes with his power throwing combinations, “Dinamita” has once again proved he is one of the best Pound for Pound fighters. Currently ranked as number 3 on the Pro Boxing Fans Pound for Pound list, Juan Manuel Marquez has emerged as one of the most dominant fighters of his era.
With a plethora of notable wins, and a stellar amateur career, Dinamita has accepted his next greatest challenge. He will step up into the welterweight division to take on the recently unretired superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a legendary super fight towards his conquest of being the best Pound for Pound fighter.
Early Career
Born in Mexico City, Juan Manuel Marquez is one of eight children. His Father was an ex-pro boxer with 35 fights to his credit. Marquez entered the gym for the first time at the age of eight. Juan and his brother Rafael, who is a former bantameight and super bantamweight champion, quickly took to boxing and began fighting in amateur tournaments at age 13. Juan Manuel Marquez fought his way to an amateur record of 35-1 that included two Golden Gloves Tournament wins. During Marquez’s amateur reign he defeated notable future champion Agapito Sanchez which earned him the NABO Featherweight Title.
Marquez made his professional boxing debut at the tender age of 19 on May 29, 1993. His only blemish came from a disqualification against Javier Duran in round 1. However, Dinamita remained a dominant fighter for the next six years as his record escalated to 29-1. Marquez’s success finally paid off as he earned his first title bout against Freddie Norwood, which he lost via a controversial decision. Determined to get back into the title picture he then went on to face Remigio Molina on November 1999 and defeated Molina in eight rounds. Marquez was then able to capture the NABF, and USBA Featherweight titles through slick fighting at the expense of future champion Robbie Peden.
Featherweight Domination
With the Featherweight division itching for serious competition, Juan Manuel Marquez received his second bout for a world title on January 2, 2003. He defeated five-time Featherweight champion Manuel Medina, and won the vacant IBF Featherweight title.
In May of 2004 Marquez fought the now number one pound for pound fighter Manny Pacquiao to a draw in which Marquez was knocked down 3 times in the first round. Desperate from his point deficit Marquez then went on to dominate and take control of the fight with his superior combinations and footwork. In 2006 Marquez came up short in a controversial loss for the WBA Featherweight championship held by Chris John.
Super Featherweight
On the night of March 17, 2007 Juan Manuel Marquez became the WBC Super Featherweight Champion by defeating Marco Antonio Barrera by unanimous decision.
In March 2008 Marquez went on to face Manny Pacquiao and lost via a highly disputed split decision which many thought he had won. Marquez led the fight in jabs and outscored the champ in power punches by a marginal count, but did suffer a brief flash knockdown.
Moving up to New Weights
Marquez moved up to the lightweight division to fight a 12 round bout against lightweight champion Joel Casamayor on September 13, 2008. Marquez defeated Casamayor in the 11th round after two knockdowns and gained his sixth world title.
Continuing his conquest of the lightweight division, he faced IBOand former WBA, IBF and WBO champion Juan Diaz. Diaz controlled the fight early and the two exchanged several brutal combinations, but Marquez knocked Diaz down with a three punch combination that eventually led to a 9th round stoppage.
Marquez vs. Mayweather
With all of these accomplishments, Marquez will face his greatest challenge on July 18, 2009 when he squares off against now unretired superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a historic welterweight clash for the ultimate goal…pound for pound supremacy.
