MAYWEATHER DOMINATES MARQUEZ IN LAS VEGAS
By Lloyd Dyer (Webmaster, Sweetfightingman.com)

19th September 2009

On Saturday, pound-for-pound superstar Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. supported his claim to being the best in the world, with a dominant twelve round unanimous decision over Juan Manuel “Dynamito” Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Mayweather's lead left-hook was effective all night

After a 21 month layoff, Mayweather came out in the first round looking surprisingly fresh, with few initial signs of ring-rust. He pushed forward with his left jab, jumping in with quick lead-left hooks. The defences of Marquez, another pound-for-pound great looked worrying early on, with little head movement, struggling to negate Mayweather’s hand-speed. Marquez had his own successes in the round however with body punches, particularly with the jab. He also landed a good combination on the inside to even up the session on my card.

The subversive pattern continued in the second, as Mayweather again boxed assertively with Marquez looking to counter, but he for the most-part missed.

A good right caught the pound-for-pound champ on the temple though and seemed to wobble him. Ironically, seconds later a big left-hook-lead from Mayweather right on the ‘Money’ dropped his opponent. It looked more like a flash knockdown, as Marquez was up almost immediately. Mayweather appeared to recognise this, and seemed reluctant to end matters throwing only jabs to head and body to finish out the round. Marquez had some success towards the end on the counter, but it was a 10-8 round for Floyd.

The third was quieter as Mayweather opted to box on the back-foot, mostly landing with the jab and throwing fewer power-punches. “El Dynamito” became more aggressive in this round having successes with some combinations and lead right-hands. A close one, but I gave it to Marquez on his work-rate. Mayweather continued boxing more effectively to win the forth session with his precise jab, but Marquez once again had his successes to show that he was still in the fight. Notably, a clash of heads cut Marquez on the right-eye mid-way through the round.

The fifth session was similar, with Mayweather clearly winning the round with his jabs to head and body, catching the aggressive Marquez on the way in with the left hook. Marquez for the most-part appeared to miss, and seemed more frustrated. Mayweather also got more confident dropping his hands towards the end of the round. In the sixth, Mayweather started to put his punches together, throwing and landing more right-hands and short left hooks spreading his feet. Marquez had a couple of successes to the body, but little more. This was a clear Mayweather round.

The seventh was closer as Mayweather was less active. Marquez caught the more aggressive Mayweather on the way in, but Floyd was still consistent enough with the jab to even up the round as much of Juan’s work was caught on the gloves. I scored it an even round.

The Mexican-born fighter came back to outwork Mayweather in the eighth, being more forceful and aggressive, landing several counter left-hooks and combinations on his opponent, who opted for the most-part to stand back and box. In round nine a similar pattern ensued, with Floyd pushing forward with his hands high looking for the knockout. He rocked Marquez with a right towards end of round and bloodied his nose, edging him the round.

The tenth was even more dominant for Mayweather, as he landed many power punches to the head of Marquez, who was rocked several times and looked dispirited. He continued to try and throw leather back, but with little success as punches snapped his head back.

Mayweather cracks Marquez with a right

The eleventh was very similar, with Mayweather’s dominance and Marquez only landing on his opponent’s arms and gloves. The twelfth was an excellent boxing display from Mayweather, as a tired looking Juan Manuel covered up and failed to throw much back. The undefeated champion beckoned Marquez in on the ropes, but Floyd still got the better of it to dominate the final session as well.

Judges official scores were 118-109 (William Lurch), 119-108 (Dave Moretti) and Burt Clements (120-107) in seeing every round to Mayweather. I similiarly scored it 118-111 (8-2-2 in rounds) in favour of the Michigan-born fighter.

After the fight, Mayweather gave much respect for his opponent calling him “tough as hell”. He continued to say “You know how Marquez is. Everybody drops him but he always gets right back up and fights until the end”. Marquez commented on his loss saying “I’m a little upset, but I tried my best. The weight was a big problem – I think there was a twenty pound difference in weight (by fight time)”.

At the post-fight press conference a now forty-year-old Shane Mosley of Golden Boy Promotions called out Mayweather, who was angry about him interrupting his ‘moment’. He would not comment on whether this fight is a possibility, or facing the winner of Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto on November 14th. But could any of them live with Mayweather?