Dinamita! Marquez KOs Diaz in Nine after Unforgettable War

By Thomas Gerbasi

Call it another one for the ‘old’ guys, as 35-year old Juan Manuel Marquez joined his Golden Boy Promotions stablemates Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins by turning back the clock and the challenge of 25-year old Juan Diaz, capping off a fierce battle with a stirring ninth round knockout at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

Marquez adds the vacant WBA and WBO lightweight belts, as well as Diaz’ IBO 135-pound crown to his Ring magazine title.

There was no feeling out process in this one, with Diaz pressuring Marquez, and “Dinamita” trying to counter in an effort to keep the 25-year old Texan off him. This led to some heated close range exchanges, with Diaz holding the early edge. By the end of the round though, Marquez seemed to have found his rhythm, only to get tagged by a hard hook seconds before the bell sounded. read more