Marquez Could Return in Mexico City Before Big Fight

By Salvador Rodriguez

Promoter Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions has revealed that former four division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez (55-7-1, 40KOs) is very interested in returning to action in Mexico City, and then looking for a rematch with WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley in the second half of 2014. Marquez, 40-years-old, told Beltran that he wants to fight at least two more times.

Marquez last fought in Mexico City in April of 2012, when he scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Sergey Fedchenko to capture the WBO junior welterweight championship.

“We are in contact. He is looking for a rematch with Bradley and we are intending to do a fight in Mexico. The Mexican fans deserve the opportunity to see him. [The fight in Mexico] would happen before the rematch with Bradley. We do not have anyone specific [in mind for the opponent], but we are sure it will be a highly rated opponent,” Beltran said.

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Juan Manuel Marquez (53-6-1, 39KOs) is not looking past his next oppnent, Eastern Euro boxer Sergey Fedchenko (30-1, 13KOs) of Ukraine. The clash happens on April 14th at the new Arena Mexico in Mexico City – for the vacant interim-WBO junior welterweight title.

Over the weekend, Juan Manuel went through another hard day of training, going six hard rounds in sparring with Alejandro Barrera, Luis Acuña and Aaron Herrera, which resulted in a big ovation from the ringside observers at the Romanza Gym.

“Fedchenko looks like a respectable opponent. One thing I do not do [is come into a fight overconfident]. You know, confidence can kill a man. I abused [confidence] in the first fight against Manny Pacquiao. I went out to attack him in the first round, and I was connecting well – but then suddenly he sent me to the canvas. And there wasn’t just a [single knockdown], but three in one round. From the second round on, I decided to box and [he couldn’t hit me anymore]. And I think I won the fight on points, but I was robbed with a draw,” Marquez said.

Marquez’s trainer, Nacho Beristain, is confident that his boxer will figure Fedchenko out.

“We know who Fedchenko is. [We have] references, videos of his fights, and everything indicates that he is a skilled boxer, difficult. But its not the first time that we’ve fought with a [difficult opponent] and found [ways to win]. When we spoke about this fight, the first thing we said is that we must be well prepared for any surprises.

“There is not such thing as a small opponent, just like there is no such thing as an invincible adversary.”

By Ernesto Castellanos, notifight.com

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CIUDAD DE MÉXICO, MÉXICO. – BoxingScene.com was present as Juan Manuel Márquez (53-6-1, 39 KO’s) was putting in the work for his first fight in Mexico City in 18 years. He takes on Sergey Fedcehnko (30-1, 13 KO’s) for the WBO’s interim-junior welterweight title at the new Arena Mexico. The fight takes place on April 14th as part of a split-site HBO/Top Rank pay-per-view event.

By Salvador Rodriguez, photos by Rafael Soto

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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO. – Juan Manuel Marquez officially announced his return this April 14 at the Mexico City Arena, achieving his dream to fight again in the land of his birth after 19 years of not appearing in the area. Marquez, who will face Sergey Fedchenko, Marquez appeared with his coach Don Ignacio Beristían, assistant trainer Angel Heredia, the director of Zanfer Promotions, Fernando Beltran, Director of Azteca 7, Rodrigo Fernandez, Head of Public Relations at the Arena Mexico City, Alejandro Arce and COO of Zanfer, Guillermo Brito.

“It’s a great motivation to be home, very satisfying and also a great responsibility,” said Marquez, who faces Fedchenko for the vacant interim-junior welterweight title of the World Boxing Organization.

“I’ve prepared well enough, it’s is a tough fight, but I want to have a great fight on April 14 to show everyone how proud I am of being Mexican and fight again at home.”

“I am proud to still be the coach of this great athlete. We hope that the 14th, we will present the fans in Mexico with a boxing lesson,” said Nacho Beristain, a member of the Hall Fame of New York.

Fernando Beltran let it be known that if Juan Manuel Marquez wins this fight, he will appear on July 14th at Cowboys Stadium.

“We want to continue making history,” said Beltran, who expects over 20,000 fans. “I am proud to have the opportunity to present the best fighter in the world today, Juan Manuel Marquez, at the Arena Mexico City. I expect to exceed the number of attendees.”

He said that among the special guests at the event that evening – Rafael Marquez, Ulises Solis, Omar Chavez, Hernan Marquez, Juan Carlos Sanchez, Jacqueline Nava, Moises Fuentes, Jorge Arce and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., addition of Timothy Bradley and Nonito Donaire.

By Rafael Soto

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On April 14, Ukrainian boxer Sergey Fedchenko (30-1, 13 KOs) will battle future Hall of Famer Juan Manuel Marquez (53-6-1, 39 KOs) for the interim WBO light welterweight title at the New Mexico City Arena in Mexico City. This news has become a big sensation in Ukraine and Fedchenko has drawn the attention of reporters and millions of boxing fans. Although Marquez is a fearsome opponent, the 30-year-old Fedchenko is also a very experienced boxer, who is technically solid and a very strong puncher.

“For me, it was unexpected news,” said Fedchenko. “To fight against Marquez is a great honor for me. I am happy that Juan give me a chance. The only problem is little time to prepare for battle. But I’ll make sure that on the day of the fight I’ll be in the best shape of my career.”

Sergey started his professional career in 2002. In the early years, he was fighting against unknown fighters, but all that changed when he became promoted by the Klitschko brothers. In 2008 he won his first championship, the IBF Inter-Continental belt, when he knocked out Argentine journeyman Juan Alberto Godoy. But a year later, the Ukrainian lost a close twelve round decision against South African sensation Kaizer Mabuza.

Many think the fight could be a mismatch, but Sergei disagrees. “I know that I can surprise Marquez,” he stated. “He’s an excellent counter puncher, but I’m technical, I’m smart and I’m fast. For this I received the nickname of “The Professor”. I’ve seen Marquez-Pacquiao. It was great. But I’ve also seen Mayweather-Marquez. Floyd beat him with technique and speed. He’s very smart and I am too. Do I think I’ll win on the scorecards in Mexico? Probably not. So I need to be active. I’m willing to take risks and give Marquez a spectacular fight. Now for me it’s important to prepare well for the fight. I should be well prepared physically. It’s very important to me so I can fight at a fast pace for twelve rounds. This is the most important fight of my life. This is my first fight for a world title and my opponent Juan Manuel Marquez. It’s unbelievable.”

Since the Mabuza fight, Sergey’s most notable wins were against former champion DeMarcus Corley fast Frenchman Willy Blain (whose only other loss was to Lamont Peterson). But Fedchenko is now ready for new heights.

“I know that the predictions of experts and the bookmakers are on the side of Marquez. This is my chance, as it was in Rocky Balboa. Remember that? I want to fight it. No one believed him, but he was able to make a sensation. I can do it too. Each of us when he goes into the ring only wants one thing – to win. I want to win. I have faith. If I didn’t believe that I could beat Marquez, I wouldn’t agree to fight him.”

By Alexey “Oscar” Potapov
Photo: K2 Ukraine

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/fedchenko-vows-rocky-balboa-performance-111236