By William Trillo
Photos: Bret "The Threat" Newton

Joel Casamayor had been knocked down before and only twice since his sojourn up to Lightweight in 2004, but he has never been stopped. Juan Manuel Marquez has not stopped anyone since 2006 and few expected he would bring enough pop up to 135 to be able to stop the tough whiskered Cuban.

 

Yet after 11 rounds of very close action, (the judges had it dead even at 95 on 2 cards and Marquez ahead 97-93 on another), Marquez tagged Casamayor with a flush right hand and Joel found himself kissing the canvas. Not to be deterred Casamayor rose to his feet and in true warrior fashion he went after Marquez with a vengeance and was hoping he could even the score right away. The tactic failed miserably and after a furious exchange where Marquez was inflicting most of the damage Casamayor crumbled to the deck once again and it was while he was in his prone state that referee Tony Weeks took a good look at the fallen Cuban and decided his evening was over. Marquez's move up to 135 became a complete success at the 2:55 mark of round 11.

Why Joel went Michael Katsidis and bum rushed Marquez after he went down is anyone's guess but I am guessing from the look on his handlers faces after the fight they wish he would have held on long enough to clear his head and make one last charge in round 12, but it wasn't meant to be.

 

This fight was fought at a pretty good clip and both fighters had times when they appeared to be taking over, yet anytime Casamayor made a surge it appeared that Marquez would answer with some of his own and more. This sequence played out throughout every round and although 2 judges had it dead even after 10, I had Marquez up by one point and the judge who had him 3 points up was really not all that far off the mark, in my opinion. Marquez showed superior skill and movement and after his disappointing and controversial loss to Pacquiao this victory had to feel very good.

At the post fight press conference Marquez was rewarded with the Ring Magazine 135 pound and Oscar De La Hoya anointed Marquez, "The Best 135 Pound Fighter In The World!"

 

I have a couple of problems with that.

 

1. The Ring Magazine is owned by Golden Boy and Marquez is a Golden Boy promoted fighter. Am I the only one who finds that a bit too convenient? Can you say conflict of interest?

 

2. If Oscar thinks Marquez is the best 135 pound fighter in the World then is he saying he is not even fighting the best lightweight out there when he steps into the ring with Manny Pacquiao? In other words, not only is Oscar picking on little guys, but in his opinion he is not even picking on the toughest one out there. Can you say schoolyard bully?

Questions Or Comments? Email William Trillo
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