Ethan Miller - Getty Images
Juan Manuel Marquez is targeting 140-pound titlist Lamont Peterson for his next fight. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Juan Manuel Marquez and Lamont Peterson appear to be out of the running to face Manny Pacquiao in June, so the two fighters are targeting one another with the idea that the fight would lead to the winner facing Manny later in 2012. Sal Rodriguez says that negotiations will begin soon, and that Marquez wants the fight at Cowboys Stadium.
I do think the fight has a strong chance of happening, but there are a couple of things I think Marquez is shooting high on at the moment.
That said, Marquez vs Peterson is a really good fight. Peterson said in December that Marquez is one of his favorite fighters:
"(Marquez) reminds me of me a lot. He's a technical fighter, but he doesn't mind mixing it up when he needs to. Warrior, all the way through. He's intelligent. There's a lot of things about him that -- there's a lot of things I try to take from him, and learn from him. Overall, I love his fight style. Exciting fighter, throws a lot of combinations. He's willing to mix it up with anyone."
Peterson holds the WBA and IBF title belts at 140 pounds, and while the WBA has ordered a rematch with Amir Khan, Peterson is appealing that decision. Khan's team dropped their appeal with the IBF, and even if the WBA did not back down, Peterson could simply give up the WBA belt. It's not like those have any meaning anyway, since they have about five "champions" per division.
Who would you favor in this one, should it happen?
0 recs | 18 comments
lets do it
Good fight with the makings of a possible great fight. I see an even fight heading in to 6th. Then marquez breaks peterson down by choosing to Brawl and Box in different moments. Marquez stops peterson late in the 11th! Man I wanna see this fight!!
DiE_HARDFER - January 20, 2012 via mobile
I don’t know who wins, but both of these guys are a credit to the sport. This is a much better fight for JMM than Khan would be.
HamzaWanderaWRSCO - January 20, 2012
Great Fight
I’m gonna say I like Peterson to take this one. I think he ie peaking and might catch Marquez at the right time.
Kory Kitchen - January 20, 2012
I lean toward Marquez, but something tells me he’ll take Peterson just a bit too light. I don’t mean this to sound bad, because JMM is one of my favorite fighters, but he’s really arrogant and I believe routinely underestimates opponents who aren’t on the Pacquiao level.
Scott Christ - January 20, 2012
That’s part of what I’m thinking. Peterson may have the right mix of good/under the radar to catch Marquez. That, and he is bigger and younger.
Kory Kitchen - January 20, 2012
Great fight in the sense of ’I’d wish that they would fight other guys but…’
I’d favour Peterson. Range, height, weight and the fact that I think that the Khan fight will have given him real confidence (ie he will not start as slowly as he did v Khan or Ortiz).
Cowboys stadium is a joke unless it is $3 a ticket.
Eoin_not_ian - January 20, 2012
like this fight even though I am not sure it would even sell out if it was staged in the cowboys locker room.
moidadabum - January 20, 2012
Surely a Tim Bradley undercard fight would bring the gate up? Maybe Joan Guzman is free…?
Eoin_not_ian - January 20, 2012
Marquez will beat Peterson. Especially after round 4 or 5. However, it will be an entertaining bout. I like both fighters, but Peterson won’t be champion long if they fight this fight.
BoxAnne - January 20, 2012
Truthfully I wasn’t seeing Peterson as any sort of long-term titlist unless he went ultra-safe. I’d rather have a 0-defense title reign with one good fight than 4 fights with 3 that stink.
Scott Christ - January 20, 2012
They will need one hell of an undercard to sell out the Cowboys stadium, Khan v Vargas for Khans shot at Mayweather needs to happen at some point but no way would Khan take an undercard fight. I can’t see past Marquez in this fight though, 8 or 9 rounds at most
Bald-Eagle - January 21, 2012
Khan vs.Vargas? Really?
Kory Kitchen - January 21, 2012
Mayweather said Khan has to get past Vargas if he is to get a shot at him, Khan turned round and said Vargas has to beat Maidana and so on.. Don’t quote me on that or anything just what i seen on Youtube
Bald-Eagle - January 21, 2012
Mayweather pretty shortly after said he was just promoting his guy (Vargas) and that he didn’t expect Khan and Vargas to fight.
Scott Christ - January 21, 2012
This will not be at Cowboys Stadium, let’s get real. It will end up in Vegas.
This fight has some real good potential for explosion. I’ll give the edge to Marquez….
DanielAM - January 21, 2012
Doesn’t have to be in Vegas. Houston would be a great place for the fight, as it’s turning into a major fight hub lately, and Top Rank loves promoting there. Or San Antonio. Or Phoenix, which I still think could be a great fight town if anyone pushed it.
Scott Christ - January 21, 2012
Where would this leave Bradley?
Khan?
Shitali Klitschko - January 21, 2012 via mobile
Would mean TR & GB negotiating
Fat CHance
Sweet science - January 21, 2012
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