Quick Picks

More quick picks from tonight's battle for the vacant WBA Lightweight title in Houston between Lineal 135 lb champ Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz.

I rarely give the Alphabet boys much credit but here is a hat tip to the WBA for quickly sanctioning the always signed bout as a bout for their vacant title after champion Nate Campbell lost the WBA (and IBF as well) belt in Florida last week on the scales by being unable to make weight.
Diaz lost the belts to Campbell in his only loss and Marquez is the linear champ after his win over Joel Casamayor,so considering that Manny Pacquiao and Campbell are moving to 140,these two are clearly the best Lightweights in the world.

This should be a good one as Diaz fires a high volume of punches and Marquez is one of the top technicians in the world.
As a Marquez fan,I do have worries.
Despite looking sharp in the stoppage of Casamayor,this still is above his best weight and his age becomes a question with each fight.
Diaz took quite a pounding from Campbell and the template to beat him is established.

The other HBO televised fight features WBA Featherweight king Chris John making his American debut against Houston's own Rocky Juarez.
I have never seen John,but he won his title over Marquez in a hometown decision in Indonesia in 2006 and has defended it 10 times since the win.
Juarez will come forward all night and showed late KO power in his win that earned him the shot stopping Jorge Barrios in the 11th round of a bout that he was far behind.

Our Picks-Record 3-1,2 Bonus Points (Adamek-Banks pending)
Marquez Decision Diaz
John Decision Juarez

Photo Credit-Tom Hogan-Golden Boy Promotions