Around the Net: Juan Manuel Marquez vs Juan Diaz II

Saturday night on HBO PPV, Juan Manuel Marquez puts his lightweight crown on the line against Juan Diaz in a rematch of last year's epic FOTY struggle. Though both fighters might not be at the standard they were for the original clash, it's hard to see the style match-up not delivering with the counter-punching brilliance of Marquez pitted against the pressure of the quicker Diaz.

Will the veteran come through again or will youth prevail this time around.  Let's take a look at some of the pre-fight buzz from around the net...

Bad Left Hook Fight Preview: Juan Manuel Marquez v. Juan Diaz II

I do understand the folks who don't think this is a suitable major PPV headliner. But I'm thoroughly intrigued by finding out what each of these guys has to offer on Saturday. The main event guarantees a better fight than any other recent major pay-per-view (Mayweather-Mosley, Pacquiao-Clottey and Jones-Hopkins II this year have been wretched), and will probably be a better fight than any other major PPV that will come out of boxing in 2010.

Safe Side of the Ropes - The Sun Also Rises: Marquez & Diaz Dispense With The Matadors To Fiesta Again

When looking for a winner, I side with the veteran Marquez. Despite Diaz’s pretty persuasive argument, where he states that he can win by performing as he did for the first half of fight one throughout the entire length of fight two, I’m not convinced that he has the wherewithal to pull off such a feat. Against Campbell, Marquez and to a degree Malignaggi (in their rematch), Diaz did not respond well once he tasted his own blood. To wager on him in this one, you’d have to hope that he could sail home safe from harm, and against a hardcore hand thrower of Marquez’s ilk, I fail to see how that can be possible.

The Queensbury Rules - Bottom To Top: Previews And Predictions For Juan Manuel Marquez Vs. Juan Diaz II (And Its Undercard)

My view is that Marquez has more in the tank than Diaz, because even at a higher weight Diaz should never have been wobbled by light-punching Malignaggi the way he was. Diaz' combination of traits -- super-aggressive but without much power -- is a recipe for him to take beatings even in wins. And even if Diaz fights smarter, it's not clear how well he can do it; he was more conservative than his usual all-out attack in his last fight and it didn't go great for him.

The Boxing Tribune - Why No Hype?

I am not saying there is a potential trilogy in the making here as I don’t see Diaz being able to beat Marquez with his style. But I guarantee you one thing, excitement–and that’s all we ever ask for when watching the sweet science. People seem to forget that just a year ago this was FOTY. Neither man has changed that much, Diaz moved up in weight and fought Malginaggi twice and Marquez lost a non-competitive decision to Mayweather. However, neither really took alot of punishment. The only real difference is that both fighters know their weight limit is around 135lbs and they are both a year older.

ESPN - Juan Diaz adamant he will show improvement

In conversation, Marquez marveled that Diaz had been "so fast" on that night, but Diaz himself offered a less than glowing appraisal of his performance. "I fought like an amateur," he said. "I kept leaning over, falling over, squaring up, giving Marquez an easy target. But this time around, I'm going to be more professional about it. I'm going to apply pressure, but smart pressure, make sure that I have my defense, and throw the correct punches."

The Huffington Post - FINALLY - SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT IN BOXING: MARQUEZ-DIAZ II

A left hook artist, Diaz revealed, " The last time I was aggressive - which I always have to be with my style. But I wasn't thinking. I was much too square and easy to hit. And Marquez is such a smart fighter. I was just rushing in, he turned and found an angle and I got caught. In this fight, I have to think and be aggressive at the same time." At the suggestion that aggression and calmness are not exactly a natural pair, Diaz chuckled and noted, "That's true but you can be both. I am going to be both on fight night - calm and aggressive."