The line for last night’s Juan Manuel Marquez versus Mikey Alvarado Welterweight title bout closed with Marquez favored (-250) or so at the books, meaning that Marquez paid off for those that bet him, as the judges had him comfortably ahead 119-108, 117-109 and 117-109.
Alvarado deserves credit the fight he gave the future Hall of Famer, as he never stopped coming forward and trying to make it into a fight. Unfortunately for Alvarado, just being game does not win fights, and he was out classed by a precise combination puncher that may be the best at those two attributes at this time. Alvarez got sent to the canvas in the eighth round, but he returned in the ninth to land a big shot that sent Marquez down to the floor. As Alvarado fought back from the floor, so did Marquez closing the fight out in a fashion that left no doubt.
Marquez has a belt in the fifth weight class that he so coveted, and now he awaits his next opponent and yet another big payday. He looks to be in the best shape of his life, and until he fails a drug test, everything else you hear is speculation. Similar allegations surround Manny Pacquiao, the man that may be his next opponent, but they can go to China under Top Rank and get the fight done with testing falling by the wayside in terms of importance. It will be a great fight, the fifth meeting between the two.
It appearsinevitable that Top Rank will look to make Pac-Marquez 5, and then they may look to have the winner take on Floyd Mayweather. It may actually be a best case scenario for Marquez if he beats Pac again and gets Mayweather for a second time. Marquez fought his first fight ever at 147 lbs against Mayweather, and he is a far better fighter at that weight class now than he was for their first meeting.
Even with a loss, Mayweather may eventually get to Pacquiao anyway if the money is right, while Marquez was not as appealing an opponent and may not be yet. But if he beats Pa again, Mayweather may turn to the Mexican for a gigantic fight in Las Vegas sometime in 2015.
