Analysis of Bri's Team: Simply Juanderful

Here comes a counterattack (I mean, analysis) on Bri's team, a team that vowed early-on to capture every JUAN in the sport. Somewhere, Juan Samuel is applauding and so is his jerri-curl.

For pick number one, Bri chose Juan Manuel Marquez, arguably the most skilled fighter in the sport. However, Juan Manuel lacks dangerous knockout power and this is what leaves him just shy of superstardom. Marquez failed to produce knockouts in his fights with Freddie Norwood, Chris John, Marco Antonio Barrera and in both fights with Manny Pacquiao. Had he done so in any of those bouts, he would be considered a true superstar. Marquez has the craft, but does he have the explosiveness to rock the sport? At age 33, it is doubtful.

Marquez should be able to handle his upcoming fight against Joel Casamayor. Casamayor is older, more faded and probably less skilled. Marquez will likely end up in the ring with Manny Pacquiao again. Could he win? Sure. But he's older than Pacquiao, hasn't won in 2 tries against him and lacks the one-punch knockout threat. All in all, a great fighter but his best days could be behind him.

Bri's second pick was the tall welterweight Paul "The Punisher" Williams. Williams' greatest wins are a 12-round decision victory over Antonio Margarito and a 1st round destruction of Carlos Quintana in a rematch. However, his only loss (by decision to Quintana) has raised questions about his skill level. Williams got whipped in the face repeatedly in that fight and actually did well for himself to go the distance. He also faded in his close win over Margarito. The Punisher is certainly beatable, but with his size and growing confidence, he's a formidable opponent for anyone.

In the third round, Bri chose the upstart Juan Manuel Lopez, the new WBO Super Bantamweight Champion. Lopez has to be considered one of the most impressive rising stars of boxing with his 1st round pummeling of respected champion Daniel Ponce de Leon. Lopez has more to prove, but has all the promise in the world.

For his final pick, Bri knew he needed another Juan, so he went Diaz. Juan Diaz was one of the most impressive champions in boxing before his recent loss to Nate Campbell. His ridiculous work rate tends to make up for his lack of power and relatively pourous defense. He absorbed a ton of shots against Nate Campbell. I remember feeling sorry for him as the fight neared the end. He faces Michael Katsidis, a tough brawler, in what is sure to be entertaining. He probably has enough to beat Katsidis. But will he ever regain the Lightweight Title? Not against Pacquiao, Marquez or Guzman in my opinion.