Live Blog: Juan Manuel Marquez defeats Juan Diaz

By Brett Okamoto

Published Saturday, July 31, 2010 | 8:49 p.m.

Updated Saturday, July 31, 2010 | 9:28 p.m.

Juan Manuel Marquez made it two-for-two against Juan Diaz Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, defeating him by unanimous decision in a rematch of their 2009 Fight of the Year.

Even at 36, Marquez (51-5-1, 37 KO) appeared to be the faster fighter, countering his 26-year-old opponent effectively and beating him to the punch on the inside. The judges scored the bout 116-112, 118-110 and 117-111, all for Marquez.

It was a strategy similar to the one Marquez used to defeat Diaz (35-4, 17 KO) on Feb. 28, 2009. Marquez recorded a ninth-round TKO win in that fight.

“The first fight was difficult, but this was too,” Marquez said. “He’s a great fighter with great technique. I was just the better fighter tonight. Like every Mexican fighter, we fought with our hearts and left everything in the ring.”

It was Marquez’s first fight since dropping a lopsided decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Sept. 19, 2009.

Marquez may now turn his attention to a higher weight class, as it’s expected he could face current junior welterweight champion Amir Khan.

Marquez has also expressed interest in a third meeting with WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. The two fought to a draw in their first meeting in 2004 before Pacquiao took a narrow split decision in a 2008 rematch.

“The trilogy with Pacquiao is what I want,” Marquez said. “Everyone wants to see it, it’s a good fight for the fans. I’ll be ready to fight again in November, hopefully Pacquiao will take the fight.”

Pacquiao is already scheduled to face Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13 at a venue yet to be determined.

Juan Manuel Marquez (50-5-1, 37 KO) vs. Juan Diaz (35-3, 17 KO)

Round One: Both fighters snap out their jab to begin the main event. Pro-Marquez crowd beings chanting, ‘Mexico.’ Diaz lets a few hooks go but Marquez covers up. Good body shot lands for Marquez. Diaz comes forward aggressively but Marquez seems to have gotten the better of that exchange. Diaz doubles up the jab effectively. Good straight right lands for Marquez. Both guys staying active here. Diaz lands a big left hook, followed by a straight right as Marquez retreats.

Round Two: Diaz throws a one-two combination, landing a left hook on the back end of it. Marquez responds with a flurry though that get through Diaz’s defense. Marquez with a good counter left, Diaz answers with a pair of jabs. Uppercut lands for Marquez. Marquez gets busy inside but Diaz lands a nice counter left. Again, it’s Diaz with a hard counter when Marquez tries to work the body.

Round Three: Marquez lands a nice counter left to open the round. Marquez starts of a combination with an uppercut then a jab. More uppercuts thrown from Marquez but Diaz avoids them and counters effectively. Both guys let their hands go, both guys get punches in. Good straight right lands for Marquez at the end of an exchange but Diaz comes back with two more unanswered punches. Marquez looking to finish the round strong, he lands several hooks before the bell.

Round Four: Diaz sticks his jab out, Marquez counters. Diaz again looks to fit his jab through and Marquez lands a big shot. Diaz falling back and Marquez lands another left hook, now a right hook. Diaz trying to get his composure back, he connects on a left hook that slows Marquez’s attack for now. Marquez finishes another round staying very active.

Round Five: Marquez looking to set up the left uppercut, it’s been his most effective weapon thus far. Nice jab lands for Diaz. More jabs land for Diaz as Marquez is too slow with the counter. Combination of punches lands for Marquez. Big overhand right lands for Marquez but Diaz weathers it well. Another overhand right from Marquez with 20 seconds left. Marquez feints the uppercut and almost lands a third overhand right as round ends.

Round Six: Marquez sticks out a jab to open the sixth. Diaz looks to double up the jab but Marquez ties him up. Two good straight punches land for Marquez but Diaz responds with a counter right hook. Diaz stringing together punches, he lands a nice right at the end of the flurry. Marquez lands a huge left hook that staggers Diaz and he follows it with a right uppercut that forces Diaz to clinch.

Round Seven: Good body shot lands for Marquez. A good one-two lands for Marquez and Diaz clinches again. They break and Diaz still pushing forward though. Nice jab by Diaz lands. Marquez lets his hands go, Diaz covering up, he avoids damage and then does the same to Marquez.

Round Eight: Both fighters take punches in an early exchange. Diaz lands a pair of jabs. Marquez lands two straight punches. Diaz trying to dart in with that jab but Marquez defending it well now. Diaz able to land the jab as Marquez goes for the overhand right. They stand in the pocket and trade shots briefly at end of round.

Round Nine: Marquez eats a jab from Diaz and backs into the corner but quickly circles out of it. Marquez counters the jab beautifully here, landing a hard right hook that puts Diaz on the defensive. Diaz clinches to slow the action but Marquez is right on him after the break. Another straight right lands for Marquez. Another round dictated by Marquez comes to an end.

Round Ten: Blood starting to come from the mouth of Diaz at the end of that last round. Marquez brings Diaz’s hands up and then sticks a jab to his midsection. Another left uppercut lands for Marquez after he works his way in close. Diaz responds with a few well placed straight punches but Marquez walks right through them. Good body shot echoes off Diaz’s midsection. Diaz lands a right hook.

Round Eleven: Diaz lands a nice right at the back end of a flurry to open the round. Marquez throws a string of punches and lands that left uppercut again. Diaz comes forward hard and Marquez ties him up. Marquez getting Diaz to cover up with a flurry of straight lefts and then sneaks the uppercut in. Marquez changing levels nicely and opening up spots in Diaz’s defense.

Final Round: Fighters touch gloves to start final round. Diaz trying to come forward but Marquez sticks several jabs in to back him off. Diaz really going after Marquez now but unable to land anything significant. Marquez just showing more speed on the inside, getting to Diaz often when the action is close. Nice left hook from Diaz snaps Marquez’s head to the side. They tie up with about 20 seconds left. And again with 10 seconds left. Both fighters let their hands go to finish the fight and even continue for moments after the bell. Marquez breaks away and jumps on to the ropes at the one corner of the ring.

Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at LVSunFighting