Everyone on planet earth seems to agree that Manny Pacquiao will wipe the floor with Juan Manual Marquez when the pair meets in the ring on November 12. It’s one of those generally accepted facts, like gravity and two-plus-two equaling four. Anyone who actually gives Marquez a shot tends to either be an unapologetic hater of all things Pacquiao or a member of the Marquez household.
Well, add another name to the pro-Marquez side of the board, because Teddy Atlas firmly believes that Pacquiao won’t have as easy of a time against his longtime rival as some (read: everyone) may think. In fact, he’s actually standing behind the notion that Floyd Mayweather Jr. will have an easier time defeating Victor Ortiz on September 18 than Pacquiao will Marquez.
“I think the tougher fight will be for Pacquiao. I think Mayweather will handle Ortiz. If Andre Berto could have him on the floor, than Mayweather will have a good chance to get him out with his speed, with his intelligence, with his counterpunching ability…” Atlas told Boxing Scene.
“The perception of the Pacquiao fight is different to me. Maybe, Marquez is getting old after all this tear-and-wear, maybe he is starting to get too slow, maybe he gets caught too easy. But one thing is no “maybe” – how he’s gonna act. And he’s gonna act like a damn warrior, like a champion, like a fighter. I think no matter what, he is forty years old or he is in ninety years old, in the middle of the winter or in the middle of the summer, Marquez will always give Pacquiao a tough fight. His style, his talent will make it a tough, a very tough fight for Pacquiao.”
Oh, Teddy. Where to begin?
First of all, there is a reason why Marquez is being given less than no shot against Pacquiao by every single person who has ever watched boxing. That reason, for the record, is common sense.
While Marquez has put together nice career for himself, it doesn’t even remotely match up to the all-time great record that Pacquiao has carved into boxing lore. Over the past five years, in particular, the Filipino champion has gone head-to-head with, and legitimately destroyed some of the biggest and brightest stars that the sport has had to offer.
And while some of Pacquiao’s success can no doubt be attributed to fighting over-the-hill fighters, that wasn’t the case for all of his wins.
Along the same lines, it’s important to remember that Marquez’s claim to fame is almost beating Pacquiao twice. Almost. The first time he got a draw thanks to a judge’s mistake and the second time he lost (albeit, it was close) fair and square.
So, really, even in his prime at his best, Marquez has proven that all he can do is challenge Pacquiao. And as anyone who has seen Marquez fight over the last two years can attest to, the man is no longer at his best.
The second important point to tackle is the idea that Mayweather will have an easier time beating Ortiz than Pacquiao will beating Marquez. Now, this may very well end up being true, but it’s not the smart bet. Ortiz is 10 years younger than Mayweather and has slowly but surely made a name for himself in the recent past. Sure, he’s had some hiccups along the way like most young fighters typically do, but to dismiss him because “Berto had him on the floor” is ridiculous.
When you factor in all of Mayweather’s rust from not fighting for such an extended period of time (except through his lawyers, of course), the idea he’ll simply wipe the floor with Ortiz becomes even more unlikely. Again, that’s not to say it can’t happen, rather it’s just taking note of the fact that it’s improbable.
Atlas has said some pretty kooky things over the last few years, so this is hardly surprising. Still, it’s a little hard to believe that any knowledgeable boxing aficionado can actually utter the suggestion that Mayweather will have an easier time versus Ortiz than Pacquiao will versus Marquez with a straight face.
It seams as if the writer and the rest of you are idiots and teddy know what he's talking about. I dont see how you can argue against someone who has been around the sport for years.
It seems like Atlas has proven you again, he said Mayweather will easily outclass Ortiz and he was right and nobody came back on this article to complement him. I believe Atlas knows boxing more than anyone who commented in this article including the writer. Let us wait for the 12th this weekend and will find out if Marquez is not a challege for Pac. Don't get the comment wrong from Atlas, he is not saying Pac will lose but he will have a tough fight against Marquez. You know when we all grow up we had those challenging opponents and even if they get old before us but they are still our tough opponents. It's feit!! Even if Pac stops Marquez but it wont be walk in the path for him because he is fighting against Marquez, even if Marquez can be stopped by someone that Pac beat easily but Marquez will always be a tough challenge for Pac finish and Klaar. I luv Pac and I am telling one thing Pac is going to win the fight but it is not going to be easy because he is fighting Marquez. I hope you all feel me.
Teddy Atlas is one of the most overrated boxing analysts the world has ever seen. The only thing he is good at is making border comments in boxing. His opinions are very much 50-50 and changes towards the course of a fight. Moreover, he talks obvious junk and gets paid for that. Teddy Atlas trained as an amateur boxer with Hall of Fame trainer Cus D'Amato. He is also reported to have had 9 amateur fights, the majority of which he lost. Teddy is what you can come close to identifying as a pretender. A person who pretends he is among the best in boxing cas he hangs around boxing like a pub fly. It's like calling yourself a painter cas you happen to go to the most number of exhibitions in the world. Get a f life Teddy.
I was waiting for too long for atlas prediction, atlas!!! you came, and now pacman will surely win!!!!! I love you atlas, your the best, keep it coming your predictions about pacman!!!!! to all who are against atlass, let him talk, have his say, and most of all let him predict pacman's hard or lose upcoming fight!!!!
Atlas is racist!!! that's all!
Atlas is racist!!! that's all!
ive never seen a white guy do trash talking until Teddy Atlas goes out to prove his relevance. lol
Don't worry, Teddy Atlas' predictions about Manny's fight were always wrong so expect the same result on his prediction now against Marquez.
He is simply a Pacman hater, because if he became a manager of Pacquiao before, he is probably very rich now and maybe his scarface is now fixed. So Teddy always reminded of his hate whenever he look at his unfixed scarface in the mirror.
By the way, great article Alex.
Teddy Atlas is a so called "boxing expert" that can hardly keep himself as objective..his accusation of Pacquiao's PED use without any shred of evidence at all made him a Pacquiao hater. So I do not take his opinion when it comes to Pacquaio as serious and to be believe at all.
OH YEAH OF COURSE ATLAS WAS RIGHT THAT FLOYD CAN KNOCK ORTIZ DOWN/OUT, THAT'S WHY FLOYD DIDN'T EVEN HURT NOR KNOCKDOWN THE TOO SMALLER AND OLD MARQUEZ AND THE OLD AND SLOWER SHANE MOSLEY!
NICE TRY DICKSUCKER ATLAS!