I think the 37 year old Marquez was a little bit sharper both at their peaks? I'd give The Professor the slight edge
Is Marquez the best lower weight fighter ever at this age? I keep expecting him to get old, but keep him below welterweight and there's no sign of it yet.
one of the best, for sure itd be difficult to say who is the best Joe Brown was a respectable contender for a lot of years, he won the Lightweight title at 30, but an old 30, as it was his 101st pro fight... from then on, he was a dominant champion for the next 6 years before losing his title to Carlos Ortiz and overnight becoming mortal again... he'd be on the list with Marquez for sure I think part of this is a testament to Marquez's greatness, but some of it, to me, has to do with the lightweight competition not being especially good in the last few years what I am tyring to say is this: think of several other great lower weight fighters, past their primes, and ask them to fight the same Diaz and Katsidis that Marquez fought... does anyone here really doubt that the old, finished Arguello who knocked out Billy Costello or was hammered into submission by Aaron Pryor in the second fight could have done the same to both of these guys? would any of you pick either of these guys against a past-it Edwin Rosario? How about the elder Azumah Nelson? I wouldnt pick either of them to beat him, absolutely no way, no how... now, thats old men, shells of their former selves that I wouldnt feel comfortable picking against if they fought either Katsidis or Diaz... never mind, younger fighters in their prime for example, lets grab some solid Lightweights from 10 or more years ago... either of those guys going to beat Castillo? Corrales? Stevie Johnston? Casamayor? If any of you think so, I'd be very surprised
Cheers cdogg, great shout on Joe Brown. A guy called 'Old Bones' really shouldn't have slipped my mind in this discussion.