Juarez and John are fit to be tied

Chris John and Rocky Juarez battled to a 12 round draw on Saturday night at the Toyota Center, Houston, Texas.  The fight presented an interesting contrast in styles. John is a speedy boxer with considerable skills while Juarez is a forward moving puncher with heavy hands. I thought both guys fought well and had their moments in the fight. John was the busier fighter and landed more punches but Juarez clearly landed the harder punches and pressed forward, making the fight. It seems like many are griping about the decision believing John had done enough to get his hand raised.

I disagree with that premise.  It seems viewers of HBO tend to lean the way of buffoonish judge Harold Lederman and the general feeling of the commentators. But I thought Juarez was nearly chasing John out of the ring for the last 3 rounds of the fight and John did so much gratuitous holding as he had no answer for Juarez’s inside game. John may have landed more punches according to the punch count but they were kind of like “stay away from me’ punches and for the most part were not purposeful. That all said, I could see how either guy could have been awarded 6 rounds apiece. But I thought Juarez was more dominant in the rounds he won and landed the harder punches throughout. And I don’t think it would have been a bad call if Juarez was awarded the decision.

That was Juarez’s 5^th crack at a major title and was the closest he’s come to winning the brass ring. But hard luck Juarez was denied again. I can’t help but feel badly for the guy. I though Juarez gave a solid effort against a slippery and highly competent opponent. He increased the intensity of his attack in this fight against a very difficult opponent and repeatedly landed thudding jabs and brutal body punches through out the fight. But in spite of the disappointing ending for Juarez, he proved he’s still a world class fighter and will more than likely get a rematch with John or a title shot at someone else. And I do think he will eventually become a champion.

Juarez is a guy I really like and deserves respect. For one thing, he’s fought all the top iron in the world and I’ve never seen him hurt in a fight. He is as tough as they come. Juarez has mixed with killers like Humberto Soto, Juan Manual Marquez and Barrera twice and has never been close to going down or being hurt. And with the exception of Marquez, Juarez has always fought well in the late rounds and seems to be the stronger man at the end of the fight.

I expect Juarez to dust himself off and continue to fight. In spite of the draw, I think he’s fighting better than he ever has and seems to be still improving. He’s never going to change completely what he is and become a 100 punch a round fighter, but with his chin, power and underrated skills, I think if he hangs in there he will realize his dream and become a champion.