MARQUEZ-FEDCHENKO PREVIEW
By Glyn Evans
After counterpunching Manny Pacquiao silly in November, only to be denied by a decision that appeared to be based more on commerce than sport, Mexican ring master Juan Manuel Marquez resurfaces at the New Mexico City Arena, Mexico on tomorrow night.
And BoxNation subscribers (Sky Ch.456 and Virgin Ch.546) will be able to witness the 38 year old ‘Dinamita’s’ attempt to become the third Mexican (behind Erik Morales and Jorge Arce) and only the 13th fighter in boxing history, to hold versions of world titles in four separate weight categories, when he squares off with Serhiy Fedchenko of the Ukraine for the vacant ‘interim’ WBO light-welter crown.
Having won six world titles from featherweight (126lbs) through to lightweight (135lbs) in a 19 year 53-6-1 career, the Mexican magician shall unquestionably be a first year entrant to the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota as soon as he is eligible, five years after retirement. We should savour his sublime skills whilst he remains active.
His impressive scalp list includes Manuel Medina, Orlando Salido, Marco Antonio Barrera, Rocky Juarez, Joel Casamayor, Juan ‘Baby Bull’ Diaz (twice) and Michael Katsidis. Add that several impartial and qualified observers are steadfast that he was sufficiently masterful to have merited victory in all three spats with Pacquiao (officially a draw and two contentious points losses). Let’s not forget, Prince Naseem Hamed rapidly crossed to the other side of the street whenever Marquez loomed large as a mandatory challenger to his featherweight belts.
It isn’t simply what Marquez has accomplished but the majestic manner in which it was achieved. He has proved more times than is healthy that he can war with the most savage contemporaries of his age. However, though thirty nine of his victims were sent for an early shower, he could equally be a cerebral technician, the smoothest of counter punchers, when he required or desired. Appreciated rather than revered in the manner compatriots Barrera and Morales are, Marquez is nevertheless one of the most complete all-rounders of his era, a permanent feature in those mythical pound for pound listings.
He seemingly has an ideal foil against which to showcase his considerable wares this weekend, in the form of Comrade Fedchenko, a 30 year old Ukrainian who sports a statistically impressive 30-1 slate but, in truth, is yet to confront the division’s elite.
A 5ft 6in orthodox fighter, managed by Alexander Krasyuk and coached by Viktor Demchenko, ‘The Professor’ turned pro in the Ukraine whilst just 20 in March 2002. He gathered an Inter Continental title en route to knocking up 23 consecutive wins, prior to incurring his sole setback.
In September 2009, South Africa’s Kaiser ‘Hammer’ Mabuza, a future IBF challenger and the reigning IBO czar, bested Demchenko on a 12 round majority decision in the Ukraine. Mabuza remains his most credible opponent by some distance.
Demchenko is sure to turn up overloaded with desire and determination but, despite rebounding with seven wins, most notably over DeMarcus Corley and Willie Blain (both points 12), it is doubtful that the East European possesses the skills, experience or power (just 13 stoppage wins) to halt Marquez’s assault on history and a possible future assignment with Amir Khan.
Nevertheless, it is always a privilege to observe the great Mexican executing his craft and Fedchenko should certainly have the nous and resilience to take the fight late, possibly even the full trip. Definitely worth tuning in for.
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