THE PREDICTION/EL PREDICCION

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (39-0,29ko) vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37ko)

This Saturday night two of the best boxers on the planet square off at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Juan Manuel Marquez is moving up in weight to take on the former pound for pound champ Floyd Mayweather Jr. 140 pounds. This is a big fight for both. Mayweather has had a two year lay off, and could be looking at huge payday against Manny Pacquiao if he wins. While Marquez is also looking at a fight against Pacquiao with a win,(that would be their 3rd fight), more importantly he needs to make people forget he drank his own urine.(Yup, he did it, on TV no less.)

The situation we have surrounding this fight reminds me somewhat of the potential upcoming ALDS match-up between the Boston Red Sox and the Anahiam Angels. Most fans are looking ahead to the ALCS match between the New York Yankees and the Red Sox. Most critics and bloggers are talking as if Floyd is going to win hands down. Why?

The Angels are a solid baseball team, Marquez is a great boxer. The Angels have proven that they can beat just about anyone in baseball, Marquez has moved up in weight and seemed to be more explosive than he did in past years. Then why are people writing these two franchises off so easily?(Yes, Marquez can be considered a franchise.)

Why?

Mayweather and the Red Sox have too much potential. When you boil it down, and put the facts side by side, the potential of both Mayweather and the Boston Red Sox is far too great to think that anything but a win could happen for them. They both seem as if they could be the sleeping giant.

The Sox have looked as if they where slumping, but then Matsuzaka comes back, a few quick wins later, and it seems like they may be starting to stoke the engine as they chug towards the playoffs. Could Maywether do the same with all the potential match-ups at 140 and 147? Could he be chugging into the Marquez fight towards what could be considered the playoffs of his legacy?(I don't know if that makes sense, but sure does sound deep doesn't it?!)

Floyd is one of the fastest boxers I have ever seen, but as Teddy Atlas always says, timing beats speed, and Marquez is a master counter puncher. He is an extremely smart fighter, with the ability to think on his feet, and adapt to what ever his opponent throws his way. He is the type of fighter that can seem as if he isn't doing very well, the next thing you know he's picking his opponent apart. We saw this in both the first Pacquiao fight, and his last fight against Juan Diaz. My problem with Marqueaz is that most of he knockdowns seem to happen when he is caught by speed. What I mean by that is, he never seems to be totally rocked, just off-balance, or surprised when he lands on his backside. That could be a major issue with a guy as fast as Floyd Jr.

In the end I am no different than everyone else, Mayweather is too young, too fast, too big, and just has too much untapped penitential to lose this fight. Floyd has rarely had to take to that next level against an opponent, but I think Marquez may be a guy to wake the sleeping giant. I think his speed will eventually be too much for Marquez and the fight will be stopped in the late rounds. Let's not forget though, same as the Angels won't just hand the Sox the ALDS, Marquez isn't going climb through the ropes, lay down, and say "count me out, because on paper you should win", and that my friends could make for an interesting fight, both in the park and in the ring.

PREDICTION/PREDICCION - Mayweather TKO 9