I like Sanchez here, personally... but its a razor thin decision because of the tendencies of both fighters and their mutual discomfort with fighting fellow counterpunchers
I pick Marquez, close but clear. Irish - 126 is Marquez's best weight. He just happened to become braver, more likeable, more exciting towards the tail end of his stint at 126, that's probably why you think he's better at 130+. He's a natural featherweight, and looked very good in his run up to the first Pacquiao fight, smashing guys like Peden, Medina, Gainer etc.
When Marquez took apart Manuel Medina at 126, IMO he was his TRUE best. So yes, I think 126 was Marquez's best weight.
Agreed. Sure that stint was only against guys like Medina, Peden, Gainer, but he looked better than ever around that period. He peaked at the tail end of 126, and became a much better fighter than the one that fought Norwood etc. By quite a huge margin actually.
I would honestly give Marquez even-money here. I'm not suggesting he's Sanchez's equal as a Featherweight Champion, but Sanchez's total disregard for defense & the general style clash are promising features here for Marquez. Of course, Sanchez was a rare & lauded counter-puncher in his own right, & his endurance probably trumps Marquez's own in a 15-rounder. Would be a great fight. Marquez would have to win it on the back of creating opportunities while minimising Sanchez's chances to strike him moving in or from the side. Would be tight & close.
I'm not convinced he was necessarily either, personally. He was a better counter-puncher (which is saying a lot), but tougher & quicker? I think that's a debate.
There's no question, his chin was light years better and I have no doubt he was faster, especially on his feet
His chin was unquestionably better, but when did he ever equal Marquez's first-round resurrection against a true legend in Pacquiao in terms of grit?
He never had to because he was too tough to get bounced around the canvas three times in a round... To me, this is the equivalent of saying "that pitcher who threw a no-hitter was good, but I think the guy the other day who gave up a grand slam in the first inning but pitched well the rest of the game to lose it 4-3 is better"
Truth be told, I think Marquez is just the better fighter. Sanchez isn't faster either. His feet are slightly faster, but Marquez's hands are clearly faster. I'll choose handspeed over footspeed. Toughness is arguable. Marquez has an average chin, but incredible toughness. He's 37 years old, has fought some of the best fighters of the modern era, and has never been stopped. I'd be pretty confident picking Marquez actually.
How is toughness arguable when Sanchez took punches from guys like Gomez, Lopez, LaPorte and Nelson without so much as a blink? And he beat every one of them down? Marquez has been floored several times in his career and has been hurt at times by guys who's punching power was neglible at best (Diaz) I also don't see this edge in handspeed with Marquez? what is that based on? Sanchez had some of the most sublime timing of any fighter I have ever seen... I think Marquez is a great fighter, but I fail to see anything he id better than Sanchez... he was probably more defense-conscious, but it isn't like Sanchez couldn't easily avoid punches when he wanted to
As much appreciation as I have for JMM's skills and heart, I have to go with Sanchez here. I think it'd be a drag-out war, in which JMM, the 126 pound counter-punching version of JMM, would be forced into a fight that he wouldn't be able to win. Sanchez by corner stoppage.
A guy who according to you was hit in the face constantly (a huge exaggeration) by some serious punchers and never near being stopped, let alone bounced like a basketball is somehow not as tough as a guy who has... This makes no sense... because Sanchez was too durable to have an instance where he had to get up three times to DRAW a fight, it is counted against him... This is illogical
As I see it, durability is two-fold --- one-part automatic, your natural capacity to absorb punishment, and one-part manual, your fighting heart, your conscious will --- and to the latter end at least, Marquez proved his mettle in a display the equal of any.
but if proving your heart is a matter of getting beat up first, than that means we have to then say that guys with shaky chins who come back automatically have more heart than guys who are too tough to get that hurt in the first place... a ridiculous proposition in other words, Marvin Hagler never proved he had heart because hurting him badly was nigh impossible... you can not judge fighters that way... you are essentially taking a major strength of Sal Sanchez-his toughness-and holding it against him it's senseless
Any advantage Marquez has in composure and defence is probably balanced by Sanchez' range, relentlessness & strength. Both obviously have exquisite punch picking and accuracy. Marquez's the more polished combination puncher but Sanchez was willing & able to come through a shot or two to throw 4, 5 good ones & that probably makes up for it, here IMO. I can certainly see him pushing Marquez to the ropes at times. Also Sanchez has a creativity in his punch selection, abetted by feinting and draws that is factor all of it's own. I declare this fight a draw & both men absolutely fucking brilliant.:Thumbs:
