World Lightweight Champion Juan Manuel Marquez, knocked out Juan Diaz in the 9th round of a back and forth war last year. Since then the champ has been beaten like never before. The challenger hasn't been able to find his groove either. Still, these two made for such fierce combat the first time around, it looks like a match made in fistic heaven stylistically. We know they're going to tear into each other again, but I find this match-up especially compelling and difficult to call because of what has changed.I wish there were more rematches in boxing. Apart from giving the fighters more opportunity to prove themselves, return bouts demonstrate just how important timing is in this sport. I'm often stunned at how many fans assume the winner of the first one would come out on top every time. Things are a little different now than when they first hooked up, and while I'm expecting another thriller, I wouldn't be surprised if the younger man came out on top this time around.
Juan Manuel Marquez
vs Juan Diaz
DATE: 31/07/2010 FROM TIME: 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT
It's difficult to get past the fact that Diaz not only lost to Paulie Malignaggi at least once, he was even wobbled in the rematch by a guy who doesn't hurt anyone. Marquez put him away rather violently with his accurate combination power punching. It would make perfect sense if the first meeting left fractures in his ability to take the kind of punishment that he was dealt the first time.
