Juan Manuel Marquez
vs.
Mike Alvarado
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Mike Alvarado has split two wars with Brandon Rios and had the joy of defending his belt in a hometown defense–which he lost. Now Alvarado has a chance to not only be back on the main stage, but also to fight a future boxing hall of famer and then be the main target for Manny Pacquiao‘s next fight if he wins. Juan Manuel Marquez–who had previously voiced disinterest in a fifth fight with Pacquiao–now wants that chance at Pac Man to collect a title in a fifth division. This is also a return home of sorts for Marquez as the fight will be staged at the Forum in LA–former home of the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Kings–where Marquez broke in as a main stage fighter. Alvarado will be able to show off his boxing skills, which is probably a relief for him after going through three straight hellacious wars with Rios and Ruslan Provodnikov. Marquez has power as evidenced by his devastating knockout counter against Manny Pacquiao so Alvarado shouldn’t be too brave about exchanging with Marquez. In a traditional boxing match, Marquez wins with his superior counter-punching ability. If this fight turns into a brawl, that favors Alvarado who has been in some nasty brawls with some of the divisions heaviest punchers and guys with great chins. I suspect this fight will stay at a fairly boxing distance for most of the rounds, with a few skirmishes here and there. In a close fight, I see Marquez winning a close, but unanimous decision, setting up a possible fifth clash with Pacquiao later this year.
Prediction: Marquez
Brendan Montenegro, Senior Correspondent
Even though many fans state they are not really interested in this fight, they will be watching this Saturday night. Many of those fans that will be watching, will be rooting for Mike Alvarado, and with good reason. If Juan Manuel Marquez wins, it means a fifth fight with Manny Pacquiao, and not many people really want to see that. Let’s be real though, even though Alvarado is a blood and guts fighter and a fan favorite on the West Coast, he is nowhere near the class of fighter Marquez is. Marquez lost to Timothy Bradley because he allowed Bradley to get into his head, Alvarado will not. Alvarado is a straight forward fighter who has his best fights against fighters who fight, not box. He does not do as well against guys who use the sweet science of punching and not being punched. With that being said, this will be an easy fight for Marquez as he will sit back, bob, weave and slip many punches and use his great countering skills to break Alvarado down. That’s not to say Marquez will knock him out, but Alvarado will definitely have a huge headache at the end of the night.
Prediction: Marquez
Gabriel Polanco, Staff Writer
Mexican living legend, Juan Manuel Marquez will be taking on Mike Alvarado at a catch weight of 144 lbs. Even though the fight is at a catch weight, it is still considered a title eliminator for the WBO welterweight belt currently held by Manny Pacquaio. The winner of this fight will contend for the belt in the fall, according to Bob Arum. So down to the fight, Alvarado is a bigger guy, but he is coming from a lower weight class. Marquez on the other hand isn’t the biggest welterweight in the world in terms of height, but he is definitely one of the strongest. I don’t see Alvarado using his reach and size over Marquez adequately as Marquez is just too smart for the Denver fighter. I don’t see Alvarado coming back to old form, from what were three grueling fights that probably took more than a few years off his career, let alone his life. I have Marquez winning an easy decision over Alvarado, in which the fight will look to be stopped a couple of times near the end.
Prediction: Marquez
Lou Catalano, Staff Writer
After a few brutal fights in a row, Mike Alvarado gets no reprieve as he’ll be taking on the best fighter he’s ever faced. On paper, Juan Manuel Marquez is simply all wrong for Alvarado. He is one of the best counter punchers to ever lace up the gloves and he’s still devastatingly accurate with his combinations. If Marquez has aged overnight, Alvarado will have a shot. “Mile High” is bigger and younger. But Marquez is exceedingly nasty when coming off a loss, and he’ll be gunning for another massive payday against Manny Pacquiao. I think Marquez holds off father time for one more fight and takes Alvarado out.
Prediction: Marquez
Jordan Echavez, Contributing Writer
Although Juan Manuel Marquez is the more experienced and the favorite going into this fight, I still think Mike Alvarado has a solid shot of taking the victory. He is the younger and bigger fighter. If he uses his size to keep Marquez from getting close, he can neutralize a good amount of Marquez’s offense. However, once Alvarado gets touched, he does have the tendency to want to get even right away and that’s where Marquez can do what he does best and land his counter punches. Marquez has the edge in experience, power, and intelligence, but Alvarado has the edge in youth, speed and size. At first glance, I felt Juan Manuel Marquez was going to take this fight via unanimous decision, but after talking to a few other boxing heads and really thinking about it. I’m gonna switch it up and say Alvarado via split decision if he can maintain his composure throughout the fight. Very tough one to call.
Prediction: Alvarado
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Both Juan Manuel Marquez and Mike Alvarado look to rebound after losses as they square off with each other this Saturday night. Alvarado was in a grueling fight last time out vs. Ruslan Provodnikov and it must be asked; how much did that fight take out of him? Alvarado must give JMM movement, angles and a stiff jab and only trade with Marquez when he wants to. JMM, who later on in his career has become a much more exciting fighter, must counter as usual, but also exchange and engage Alvarado, but not in a reckless manner. JMM has somehow become a bigger puncher of late so he is willing to trade more often. Assuming Alvarado has something left in the tank after his last fight I think he can beat JMM. Alvarado started great against Provodnikov, but his pressure was too much for “Mile High” and he couldn’t box and pick his spots as effectively as he wanted. Marquez won’t apply that kind of pressure, so for this reason–and father time–I will go with the upset.
Prediction: Alvarado
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Does Juan Manuel Marquez still have enough gas left in the tank to take out a young gun like Mike Alvarado? I think so. Alvarado looks noticeably bigger than Marquez, so it will be interesting to see if he tries to impose his size on the Mexican legend and make it a physical fight. That might not be a bad idea, but Marquez has seen and been through it all. Regardless of if this becomes a strategic boxing match or phone-booth war, Marquez has the pedigree and ring smarts to win. Marquez is not Brandon Rios and won’t try to draw Alvarado into a war so in a fight that will probably offer more boxing than slugging exchanges, I think Marquez gets back in the win column and moves closer toward a fifth fight with Manny Pacquiao.
Prediction: Marquez
