Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Mike Alvarado preview and predictions
By Josh Sanchez
On Saturday night, Juan Manuel Marquez and Mike Alvarado will be squaring off at The Forum in Inglewood, California in a welterweight title eliminator bout that has Fight of the Year potential thanks to the aggressive style that both men bring in to the ring with them.
Marquez (55-7-1, 40 KO) may be 40 years old, but he is still a top-tier fighter with some heavy punching power he will be looking to utilize against Alvarado. With a win, Marquez could potentially find himself matched up with Manny Pacquiao for a fifth time in his long career.
Alvarado (34-2, 23 KO) is a legitimate fighter in his own right, but he could be in for a tough test against one of Mexico’s all-time greats.
The best chance for Alvarado to come away with a win in this fight will be to press forward and keep the pressure on Marquez and attempt to wear him down with his clear size advantage, but he could also end up eating a strong counter that would likely end with him meeting the canvas.
If Alvarado stays back and looks to counter Marquez, the skill advantage will become clear and Marquez should be able to outbox him and show his technical advantage.
On paper, the only advantage that Alvarado has is his size and that will not be enough against a fighter of Marquez’s caliber.
If Alvarado was able to come away with a win, it would be a huge upset and it would spoil the plans that Bob Arum and Top Rank have for a Pacquiao vs. Marquez V match up which is a bout that still has a large appeal.
Alvarado will certainly give Marquez his best shot, but in the end he will likely come up short as Marquez picks him apart throughout the early rounds before eventually finding a way to come up with the stoppage in the later rounds.
Neither man will be backing down, so there could be some fireworks if they both come out swinging for the fences.
Marquez is clearly the better fighter, but it is not a bout that you will want to miss.
Prediction: Juan Manuel Marquez def. Mike Alvarado via TKO (Round 9)
[Photo Credit: Chris Farina, Top Rank]