When it comes to blockbuster fights in boxing, the summer schedule has been light, to say the least. The sport was seemingly on hold while tragic comedy known as "The Mayweather-Pacquiao Follies" stretched out over a few months. Now we get back to the fights starting this weekend in Las Vegas with Juan Manuel Marquez-Juan Diaz II. August is loaded and September is jammed with good scraps. Wouldn't it be great to see Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Lopez, Sergio Mora, Jorge Arce and Rafael Marquez all on the same card? Sure it would, but that's not the way it works in boxing, so you have to choose between Los Angeles and Las Vegas and two different television options on Sept. 18.
Lopez and Marquez will meet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena while Mosley takes on Mora at Staples Center. Unless there's some kind of $25 promotion again at Staples, who wants to bet both fights will struggle to get 10,000 in the building? The Las Vegas prices are already set at $100-$400. The MGM can't be too happy. After all, it would love to draw thousands of fans from L.A. for a weekend in Sin City.
But beggars can't be choosers, so let's just be happy we're getting quality fights. Lopez-Marquez is a great one. The 35-year-old Marquez is still at the top of his game while Lopez, 27, tries to get the veteran to pass the 126-pound torch. From the Los Angeles Times:
"Age has nothing to do with this sport as long as you prepare yourself," Marquez said. "I will put my experience in play in this fight. I have noticed [Lopez's left], but he also drops his hands. That gives me confidence I can move in there and hit him.
"I'm not concerned at all about age making a difference. My only worry is myself."
This quote in Lance Pugmire's story would suggest Marquez may be considering retirement after the fight.
"I know I got one good challenge left before me, and I want to fight the best," Rafael Marquez said. "It'll be a tough fight, but I'll win by knockout."
In L.A., it's a must-win fight for Mosley. If he loses to Mora, he could fight on, but what's the point?
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