The Juan Manuel Marquez Round Table

Having comprehensively taken care of Juan Diaz twice, Juan Manuel Marquez returns to action tonight against another hard charging pressure fighter in Michael Katsidis. Despite losing a step, or two, first class technical skills have so far allowed Marquez to remain at the top of the 135lb class.

Will he take care of business against the Aussie brawler?  Is he still a viable opponent for Manny Pacquiao?  Who else might prove an interesting challenge for Marquez?

The Boxing Bulletin writers weigh in with their thoughts on the Mexican maestro...

Do you give Michael Katsidis a chance at the upset?

Corey Erdman: Stylistically, Michael Katsidis has no chance at all. An unabashed pressure fighter against taking on an educated counterpuncher with power is akin to a strictly fastball pitcher trying to outduel Ted Williams. The one and only question is whether Marquez will get old overnight, and if he does, the frenzied attack of Katsidis may overwhelm him. Unfortunately for the brave Australian, I don't think Father Time is knocking quite yet, but it'll be a heck of a time watching Katsidis try to invite him over.

Lee Payton: He's got a chance because he does bring fast pressure and he can whack. The problem is, he's an offensive fighter going up against a better one. He has no plan B, so he's gotta land something big (probably to the body) early on. I was having trouble picking this fight awhile, then I checked out some of Michael's best work, and I noticed that he doesn't usually get full leverage on his punches to the head. Seems to me he's one of those guys who hits harder to the ribs than to the head. So, he's got a chance, but he's gonna have to walk through Hell. Lucky for us, he's more than willing to do so.

Andrew Harrison: When the fight was announced I initially felt that Katsidis would win. He's at a good age to be taking on his greatest challenge, he's on a good little run and he should be the hungrier of the pair, particularly when one considers the added motivation he'll draw from his brother's death. As the fight has drawn near though, sense has weedled its way into my thinking and I'm pretty stumped as to how Katsidis will cope with the Marquez jab and his effective uppercutting. Fighters tend to run into father time around the age of 38, so the champion is right on the cusp, however, he may have one more big effort left in him against the marauding Aussie. Marquez is easy to pick against, he reminds me a bit of Evander Holyfield in that sense, a brilliant all rounder who doesn't seem to do anything outstanding (apart from make fools of those who doubt him). Katsidis has enough power to tear up the form book but Marquez is the logical favourite.

Check out more from Andrew at Safe Side of the Ropes.

Mark Lyons: Yes I do, I thought Marquez gassed a bit in the last third of the Diaz fight and was even hurt, or at least slowed, by a body shot. He looked brilliant early and perhaps he just got complacent. But he looked vulnerable late to me and Diaz was just too gun shy to go for it. If Katsidis is around late, and that's a fairly big if, he could make things very interesting because I have no doubt he will go for it. Marquez' skills don't look diminished to me, but I think his durability may be slowing down enough to give Kats a decent shot at the upset.

Jason Karp: I absolutely give Katsidis a shot at pulling off the upset; whether such an upset is likely, however, is another question altogether. Stylistically, Katsidis plays right into Marquez's hands. HIs straight ahead, high-pressure style should provide ample opportunity for Dinamita to tee off on the Aussie with an assortment of his text-book combinations. More importantly, nothing Katsidis does is likely to force Marquez out of his comfort zone; that would mean making the Mexican lean more and more on his rapidly declining legs. I think Katsidis has tightened up his form, as well as his footwork, enough to see the twelve rounds out, but achieving more than that will take a very timely punch or two.

If Marquez gets by Katsidis, would you be interested in a third Pacquiao fight?

Corey Erdman: Marquez-Pacquiao III would likely be rubbish, as it wouldn't be fought at a weight that Marquez could be competitive at. He looked plodding and bloated against Floyd Mayweather at welterweight, which is in and around where Pacquiao has settled into. We have a clear indication of what Pacquiao does to plodding Mexican fighters by now.

Lee Payton: Yeah, a third fight is something I would find interesting, just because Marquez has proven that he is stylistic kryptonite for Manny. It's one thing to attack guys you can't miss, it's quite another to swing away vs a guy who is begging for you to do just that. JMM keeps Pac honest. Most people thought Manny was going to crush him the second time around because of the size and the fact that he had improved, and it's happening again. I slightly favour Pacquiao, but it's only because he's younger and he came close to stopping Marquez in both fights.

Andrew Harrison: I don't see anyone being competitive with Pacquiao right now other than Floyd Mayweather. Since inching past Marquez in their rematch the Filipino has somehow developed the ability to throw endless streams of power punches from first bell to last. Whilst I believe Marquez thoroughly deserves next shot at Manny, certainly over the likes of Mosley or Cotto, I'm not entirely sure it's in his best interest, particularly (as Corey has mentioned) as he'll be disadvantaged away from lightweight.

Mark Lyons: Absolutely, I'm tired of hearing that Manny is too big now and Marquez will get run over. Does anybody seriously think he wont provide more of a challenge than the easy fights Manny has had this year? I thought Pac was going to dismantle him in the second fight. I learned my lesson, whatever happens Marquez will get his licks in and Manny and Arum know it. I don't think either one of them wants to see Marquez across the ring.

Jason Karp: It's not amongst my top two or three choices, but it is a live option at this point. It doesn't help Marquez that while he has regressed in many areas, among them strength and mobility, Pacquiao has only bolstered himself in all areas of his arsenal. Physical prowess aside, though, Marquez poses the toughest stylistic challenge to Pacquiao this side of Mayweather. Given the tenor of Pacquiao's recent fights - stylistic cake-walks highlighted by the solitary, if not always real, threat of a bigger man's power - it would make for a refreshing change to see the Filipino have to think on his feet for once, instead of simply relying on his speed.

If Marquez can't land Manny, who would you like to see him in against next?

Corey Erdman: Marquez is only interested in bigger money fights from here on out, one would imagine, but ideally, fights against Brandon Rios and Humberto Soto would be the most exciting matchups available in his division. It could also be interesting to see him try his hand at 140 against the plethora of young talent, but weight and age may bog him down in those scenarios.

Lee Payton: I wouldn't mind seeing him pound on Brandon Rios. A fight with Erik Morales would be cool if they did it in Mexico. I know he's thinking of a move to 140, but I don't want to see Khan stink it out against him, and the other 140 lbers are tending to other business. They might be a bit too dynamic for JMM, at this stage. He can make the move up, but it's gotta be against the right opponent.

Andrew Harrison: I'd love to see John Murray catch a break. The WBC have suggested that the Manchester pressure fighter face Brandon Rios in one of their infernal title eliminators, and whilst that would be ridiculously entertaining, a Marquez fight in England would be an occasion. Personally, I'd like to see Marquez hang 'em up after this one. The man has nothing left to prove.

Mark Lyons: Here is another big IF, but if Maidana beats Khan that would be a beautiful fight stylistically and give JMM the historical shot at 4 weight classes in the rich Mexican boxing tradition.

Jason Karp: Brandon Rios. For a couple of reasons - one of which ... I just don't like him.