Exciting Boxers Rejuvinate the Sweet Science

Boxing fans finally have something to look forward to--Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manual Marquez. Boxing seems to be making something of a comeback after, in my opinion, taking a backseat to the UFC.

Manny Pacquiao from the Phillipines--who most people believe to be, pound for pound, the best boxer in the world today--is fresh off his two-round destruction of Britain Ricky Hatton. The thing that makes Pacquiao so exciting is his willingness to fight.

When you drop fifty bucks to watch Manny fight one thing you know for sure is that he's gonna bring it. He has that great mix of speed, power, passion for his craft, and a willingness to learn.

After fifty professional fights the man seems to be getting better.

For the most part he only had two punches in his early career: right hand followed by a straight left as Manny is a southpaw (right side forward). That was pretty much it--straight in, launch a one-two and get out.

It was pretty predictable--it's just that he hit so hard that usually he was able to get away with it--and don't forget that Manny started his boxing career at 16 years old, weighing 106 pounds, and worked his way through the ranks, growing up and out to eventually fight and dominate a 147 pound Oscar de la Hoya.

Now under Freddie Roach, he's added hooks, great head movement and solid defense on top of everything else. He also seems to love training, Roach himself has said that sometimes he has to tell Manny to take a day off.

Pacquiao seems to be on a collision course to fight Mayweather if Mayweather can get by Marquez.

Pacquiao has had two epic battles with Marquez and was awarded the decision in both fights though some ring observers believe that Marquez won at least one of those fights. Marquez is a classic Mexican warrior cut from the same cloth as other legendary Mexicans like the great Julio Ceasar Chavez, Eric Morales and Antonio Barerra.

Marquez goes hard to the body, especially with that beautiful left hook to the liver; it seems that all great Mexican fighters inherit that lust for the body. Marquez also carries a trait that all great fighters have: HEART.

When he fought Pacquiao the first time he was down three times in the first round and badly hurt but the fight still ended up going the distance--all twelve rounds. Marquez lost by decision but many critics believed he won the fight.

He's been cut, fought with a broken nose (a gift from Pacquiao in the first round of their first fight), and he's felt what it's like to have his heart broken (losing close decisions). He's felt every emotion possible as a fighter.

In my opinion, if it wasn't for Mayweather and Pacquiao then Marquez would be the best boxer in the world today.

However, Mayweather probably has the best defence of all the fighters out there. The thing that makes him so dangerous is his ability to turn his defence into offense. He slips and rolls with punches like no-one can, except maybe James Toney back in his prime.

Mayweather makes great use of his elbows and shoulders when he's infighting. Not only can he defend himself with his shoulders he can also use them to create space to launch his attack.

He's incredibly intelligent when it comes to boxing and for someone so slick he's also pretty tough on the inside. Ricky Hatton tried to rough Mayweather up inside but he got roughed up instead. Hatton even admitted that Mayweather was stronger than he thought inside.

Marquez vs. Mayweather should be an entertaining fight if Mayweather wants to fight--in my opinion it all depends on Mayweather. If Mayweather wants he could use his footwork and speed to win a boring decision but if he decides that he wants to make a statement with this fight and really engage Marquez then we could be in for a great show.

Mayweather might be stronger than Marquez on the inside and too fast for him on the outside. That doesn't mean that Mayweather is guaranteed a victory; Marquez has a great ability to recover after being hurt and if he pressures Mayweather and is able to sustain that pressure it could make for an interesting fight.