Boxing Outsider

Boxing fanatics have grown tired of the endless unfounded rumors surrounding Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather’s fabled match-up. Meanwhile, newbies looking to get interested in the sport haven’t had much to latch onto this summer. But both groups got a reckoning with the upcoming Marquez-Diaz bout on Saturday, July 31. The competitorsJuan “Baby Bull” Diaz and Juan “Dinamita” Marquezalready had one legendary battle under their belts. Marquez took the victory in the ninth round then, but both fighters were recognized by Ring magazine for the fight of the year.Marquez’s victory last time was no indication of a sure thing this time, although he did end up taking the victory. He has enjoyed a steady career, including earning a world title along with his brother Rafael. When he fought Manny Pacquiao in 2004, he managed a draw after a knock-down in the first roundhowever, many fans decried the judges’ decision, feeling that Marquez actually overpowered Manny in the following rounds.Still, Diaz has been no slouch since his 2000 disqualification from the Mexican Olympic team for being too young. Turning professional at 16, Diaz has a powerful underdog mentality (along with an interest in pursuing law school after his boxing career). He feels that boxing has taught him how much can be accomplished through hard work and discipline, a combination of traits that he intends to bring into the “real world”.Before the fight, Diaz said he thinks it’s possible to win if he manages to walk the line between aggression and intellect and therefore catch Marquezwho he says “is such a smart fighter”off guard. The memory of his earlier loss was still there, but Marquez didn’t sound bitter when he spoke of it. Instead, it only whet his appetite for a reckoning, and with Marquez’s second victory, the desire will be even stronger.