Oscar De La Hoya says Marquez can beat Mayweather Jr.
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The reasons oddsmakers list recent super-featherweight Juan Manuel Marquez as large as a 5-to-1 underdog to beat undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. are based on Marquez’s sizable move up to welterweight and the fact no one has yet been able to solve Mayweather’s elusive speed and defensive abilities.
Yet, someone who knows the fight game pretty well -- and is admittedly in the underdog’s corner -- likes Marquez’s upset chances.
Oscar De La Hoya has trekked to Mexico City to watch his promotional company’s fighter train in preparation for Saturday night’s bout at MGM Grand in Las Vegas (HBO pay-per-view will televise) and says he believes Marquez has a victorious game plan.
‘I’ve analyzed everything in this fight: the size, Mayweather’s speed, their opponents,’ De La Hoya told The Times today as Mayweather and Marquez appeared outside Kodak Theatre for a fight week news conference and public workout.
De La Hoya said he’s most encouraged that Marquez has had two close fights (a 2003 draw and 2008 narrow loss by decision) with Manny Pacquiao, rubbing salt into Mayweather’s sensitive ego by declaring, ‘Pacquiao’s faster than Mayweather. Plus, Mayweather doesn’t hit as hard as Pacquiao.’
Without being as cautious about getting knocked down by Mayweather -- ‘He can take his best punch,’ De La Hoya said -- Marquez will be free to employ a fighting style that will force Mayweather to address his usual defensive skill of blocking three consecutive punches by turning his shoulder away from the abuse.
‘Marquez is a four, five, six-punch fighter, and that relentlessness will give Mayweather some trouble,’ De La Hoya said.
The move up in weight, ‘won’t matter,’ said De La Hoya, who watched Marquez move up to lightweight (135 pounds) last year to score impressive TKOs over Joel Casamayor, and the tough Juan Diaz in February before calling out Mayweather.
‘Look at Marquez,’ De La Hoya said, nodding to the workout ring, ‘he’s strong. Size doesn’t matter.’
-- Lance Pugmire
