Marquez Gets Emotional Boost From Mexican Independence Day
- Tuesday, September 15, 2009 2:38 AM
- Written By: Charlie Widdoes
Among the myriad of storylines surrounding Mayweather-Marquez, perhaps the most significant to Juan Manuel Marquez and many of his followers around the world, is one that will actually manifest itself before the first bell rings on Sept. 19 in Las Vegas. Mexico celebrates its independence on Sept. 16, and his part in the country’s rich boxing tradition is not lost on “Dinamita” Marquez, nor the country he represents.
Going back more than two centuries, Mexico’s culture is ripe with great fighters and the proud story of its independence. Marquez is next in line.
"It is an honor to fight on Mexican Independence Day weekend," he said. "To be given the chance to fight on this important day in the history of my country is something I do not take lightly.”
His trainer, Nacho Bernstein, believes that Marquez will get a boost in the ring from the important moment.
"There is something about fighting on Mexican Independence Day that drives him to reach higher and try harder,” Bernstein said. "The fact that Juan Manuel is fighting the biggest fight of his career on Mexican Independence Day is something that is a truly an advantage because it gives him the extra push to succeed.”
That Marquez is already a world champion in three weight classes, is also an advantage, he believes, because he can concentrate on technique and building muscle, rather than working to lose weight like Mayweather must. Oscar De La Hoya, who fought many of his 45 professional bouts on Mexican Independence Day, agreed that as a “smart” fighter, Marquez will be ready.
"It is a date that I fought on many times in my career, and I am thrilled to pass the torch to Juan Manuel and see him carry it to victory and continue this great tradition."
And for a prediction, De La Hoya offered, "Mayweather is in for one tough fight on September 19, Marquez will have the whole country of Mexico behind him and that is a lot of pressure on Mayweather."
As he looks forward to his title bout with Mayweather, Marquez will no doubt have the tradition of 200 years of Mexican history, and greats like Julio Cesar Chavez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales behind him.
