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RAFAEL MARQUEZ: FIGHTER OF THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 24, 2002 By Aladdin Freeman |
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RAFAEL MARQUEZ: FIGHTER OF THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 24, 2002 By Aladdin Freeman |
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This past weekend was a great weekend for boxing fans. To start, all
charges against Mike Tyson were dropped in Las Vegas and Hawaii and with
good measure. In Vegas, it was reported that to put it in the simplest of
terms, Tyson had sexual intercourse with two women; he said it was
consensual and the women say it wasn't. In Hawaii it was a even sadder
case, it was reported my numerous eye witnesses, as well as bodyguards, that
no one got within a five to ten foot radius of Tyson as he was mobbed at
the Pro-Bowl. More good news came down when Washington D.C. paved the way
for Tyson to be able to fight Lennox Lewis at the MCI Center.
As far as the action this weekend, Mark "2 Sharp" Johnson tried to avenge
his first loss in eleven years against Rafael Marquez. In this fight
Johnson, who stepped up in weight elected to box and was having some success
versus Marquez; however, Marquez did hold his own but still gave up some of
the early rounds. In the 5th round Marquez started to pick up the pace and
pretty much controlled the fight from then on out. In the 7th round Marquez
set up a beautiful right hand by going to the body with a quick left, then
was able to land a straight right hand that sent Johnson down for the first
time in his career.
In the 8th round again Marquez was able to land the right hand and when
Johnson rose, Marquez jumped on him. Marquez looked vastly improved in the
hand speed department now pushes his record to 27-3. Johnson who now falls
to 40-3, already said after the fight that he'll return to Jr. Bantam weight. In
this business you get old in a hurry, and Johnson with the move up in weight
looked old.
In the main event, Paulie Ayala beat down Bones Adams in the rematch of their
first fight. Ayala now goes to 34-1; Bones Adams now falls to 41-5-3. Ayala
who won a close split decision in their first fight, made sure that everyone
knew after the fight who was the better fighter.
Compubox, which caused the controversy in the first fight, had Ayala out landing Adams 353-216 on
Saturday night. Ayala, who looked much bigger this time around, stayed busy the whole fight and easily
out hustled Adams. Adams was able to make Ayala pay a couple of times but was hesitant to press forward
because of the power shots that Ayala was landing. After the fight, Ayala says he plans on moving up to
featherweight and face the winner of Barrera vs. Morales whose fight is scheduled for June 22. Ayala said he'll
have no problem making the weight and is looking forward to an eight figure pay day.
On Sunday, ESPN showcased boxing from Cincinnati. In the main event, Ricardo Williams faced off against by
far his most talented opponent in Anthony Washington. In the early rounds, after the jitters were shaken off, Williams
seemed to carry the fight. In the fifth round Williams landed a nice counter right hook that sent Washington to the mat.
Williams went on to win a unanimous decision.
The fighter of the week is Rafael Marquez for his excellent performance against Mark "2 Sharp" Johnson. If you haven't
heard of him before, you will now.
Questions? Comments? Write Aladdin
Freeman
