Oscar De La Hoya says in his weekly blog that Juan Manuel Marquez will shock a lot of people when he fights Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Sept. 19 in Las Vegas on pay-per-view television. Here’s why:
Then Mayweather will want to prove that he can stand in front of a smaller guy with no problem. That’s when things will start to unfold in Marquez’s favor. Mayweather is not invincible. I truly feel Marquez will expose him.
Everything is in Juan Manuel Marquez’s favor now. Floyd Mayweather has a lot of distractions, he’s been away from the sport for two years and he has a rib injury. I strongly feel everything is falling into place. This is the right time for Marquez to beat him.
And even if Mayweather didn’t have these problems, I feel Marquez’s style is well-suited for 
Mayweather. Mayweather is going to want to prove not only to himself but to all the fans that he can put on a good show, which means he is going to have to stand in front of Marquez. That will work in Marquez’s favor.
Marquez is not a slow fighter at all; he’s faster than people think. He showed that twice against Manny Pacquiao, who is very fast. And Mayweather doesn’t throw punches in bunches like Pacquiao. He throws one, two punches and that’s it. That will allow Marquez time to think and find openings. It won’t be like Pacquiao, who throws punches from everywhere the whole fight.
Another question is Mayweather’s age. Once you hit 30, things start to change. It will be very interesting to see how that affects Mayweather, especially because he’s been away for two years. Marquez (36) has already experienced that and has been able to adapt to changes in his body and mind after 30.
I also feel Marquez won’t respect Mayweather’s power at all because he’s been in there with hard punchers. I’ll tell you one thing: Mayweather does not hit hard. The only thing Marquez has to worry about is Mayweather dancing around all night long, sticking that jab in his face. That’s it.
Again, I don’t think Mayweather will do that, though. I just don’t think he’ll want to run from a smaller guy. If Mayweather thinks he’s the best fighter pound for pound –- and he does -– he’ll have to stand toe to toe with the smaller guy. He’ll be pressured to do that because that’s what the crowd at the MGM Grand will want.
Mayweather has this big ego. I’m sure he’s thinking, “I can take care of a guy as small as Marquez with no problem.”
I think the delay of the fight [from July 18 to Sept. 19 because of Mayweather’s rib injury] is a blessing in disguise. It gave Marquez more time to get stronger, to bulk up and get his speed back. You start out using heavy gloves and then use smaller and lighter gloves to get faster as your body adapts to it.
Marquez has a tremendous jab and will to win. If Marquez does for 12 rounds what I did [against Mayweather] for seven rounds, he can win the fight easily. It doesn’t take all the power in the world; it just takes planning your shots right. It takes smarts. And that’s what Marquez has. He’s one of the smartest fighters on the planet.
As long as you use your jab against Mayweather he’s lost. He doesn’t know how to block a jab. And if you feint him, it stops him in his tracks. You don’t want to allow Mayweather time to think; that’s when he can be dangerous. You have to jab, to feint. That’s the key.
Mayweather’s layoff also will be a factor. Two years is a very long time to be away from boxing. I’m sure he went to the gym here and there but actually being in a competitive fight up in the ring, with eight-ounce gloves, is a whole different thing. I’m sure he’ll have some rust the night of the fight.
I can see the first round being a feeling-out round. Mayweather will realize right away that his weight advantage is not a big deal at all the way he thought it would be. I feel things will start to heat up in the second round, when Mayweather will start hearing boos from all those fans who come in for Mexican Independence weekend, all the rowdy Marquez fans.
I was impressed by Mayweather because he showed no signs of lacking or getting older.
I hope he will face Pacquiao and Mosley because everybody wants to see it.
I wonder if he can outbox Pacquiao or Mosley because these two guys are in unbelievable shape, and their experience in the ring is oustanding .
of course you would say that mayweather is going to lose. you said the same thing when you fought him. the outcome was much different. mayweather is the best pound for pound fighter and you need to just admit that he beat you fair and square. mayweather will be victorious against marquez and you will be proved wrong yet again. he will end marquez’s career like he ended yours. get over it!!!
Dela Hoya Really makes no sense first of all. All the Money in the world
is not going to get Marquez too win this fight unless he tries something suspect. Just like in the Diaz and Paulie Fight……
Don’t get me wrong I have nothing but tremdous respect for Marquez.
But lets not forget. Marquez is the one who called out on Mayweather.
Its him that has something too prove not Mayweather lets get that straight.
Let’s stop asking, why is Mayweather picking on a smaller opponent? when its the smaller opponent been calling out on the bigger man.
I can respect Dela Hoya on all his accomplishment during his career, and we can’t take that away from him, no matter what..
But I’m sorry to break it to you…..He’s full of fucking shit!!!
Now I see why some people don’t like him….
Im sorry but who in the hell does he think he is!!
This fight will be a great one, and I can tell you from my judgment from what Ive been reading and observing, when it really comes to respect Oscar has none only for himself….He’s full of shit!!!
As much trash talking Mayweather has done in his career and many other fighter’s as well, he has nothing but true Respect for Marquez.
Dela Hoya needs too shut up and let these guys fight, too prove too the world who’s the best. Let them do it with style.
Vegas Runner, you have really said it right,, every time someone types Floyd Mayweather in google your words should show up.
I agree 100% with you, could not said it any better.
Putting my bet on De La Hoya to win!
Mr. De La Hoya, thank you for your insight and perspective…There is nobody more qualified than yourself to give his opinion on this big fight…I believe Floyd may have bit off more than he can chew…It’s a shame that someone who claims to be the best ever, continues to try and put himself in situations where he always has the advantage…No disrespect to you, because as far as I’m concerned…he didn’t beat you, but even against you…Floyd would have never taken that fight even 5 years ago…He has built a career of trying to beat big names only when they are vulnerable and that to me is not what the best boxer ever does…I really believe that when he stops and looks in the mirror, he knows it…The insecurities show everytime he attempts to show off his success, via money earned, rather than fighters he’s beaten…And although I’m sure financial success is extremely important to him, as a fighter he has to have that void…because deep down, we all have to face our demons…And for Floyd, his demons are the fact he’s been the most protected big name fighter of our generation…and no matter how much money he makes, he will never go down as the best…I can honestly say, that I believe 15-20yrs from now…Nobody will ackowledge him as even one of the 10 best ever…Sure we can only fight who is put in front of us, but you Oscar, have proven that a true fighter and a true warrior spends his career chasing down the best in the sport and forcing them to prove themselves…In closing, I can tell you that we fans have more respect for boxers with 10 losses on their records…than an undefeated fighter who hasn’t been willing to challenge anyone, or ever take a risk…
Best of luck to you and your family…You are what boxing is all about, and we all appreciate how you have always laid everything you have on the line for us…God Bless, VR
I really hope your right Oscar, we’ll have to wait and see.
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