Juan Manuel Márquez facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Márquez and the second or maternal family name is Méndez.

Quick facts for kids Juan Manuel Márquez
Márquez in 2012
Statistics
Real name	Juan Manuel Márquez Méndez
Nickname(s)	Dinamita ("Dynamite")
Rated at	Featherweight Super featherweight Lightweight Light welterweight Welterweight
Height	5 ft 7 in
Reach	67 in
Born	(1973-08-23) August 23, 1973 (age 51) Iztacalco, Mexico City, Mexico
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	64
Wins	56
Wins by KO	40
Losses	7
Draws	1

Juan Manuel Márquez Méndez (born August 23, 1973) is a Mexican former professional boxer. He competed from 1993 to 2014. Juan Manuel Márquez won world championships in four different weight classes. These included titles from featherweight up to light welterweight.

Márquez was known for his fast and technical boxing style. He was very good at combining punches and hitting back quickly. He was also a tough fighter and was never knocked out by an opponent. Some of his most famous fights were against Manny Pacquiao (four times!) and Marco Antonio Barrera.

In 2012, The Ring magazine named Márquez their Fighter of the Year. Many people think he is one of the greatest boxers ever. He was added to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020.

Early Boxing Days
Becoming a Professional Boxer
Personal Life
Professional Boxing Record
Boxing Titles Won
Pay-Per-View Fights
See also

Early Boxing Days

Juan Manuel Márquez had a great amateur boxing record. He won 82 fights and only lost 4. A large number of his wins, 72, were by knockout.

Becoming a Professional Boxer

Márquez started his professional boxing career when he was 19. His first fight was on May 29, 1993. He lost that fight by disqualification. For the next six years, Márquez did not lose any fights. He built a record of 29 wins and 1 loss. During this time, he beat future champions like Agapito Sanchez and Alfred Kotey.

In 1997, Márquez won the WBO NABO Featherweight title. He defended this title seven times. People called him the "best fighter without a world title." Márquez also worked as an accountant while training. He kept this job until he won his first world title in 2004.

Featherweight Challenges

In 1999, Márquez fought Freddie Norwood for the WBA Featherweight title. Márquez was knocked down in the second round. He also scored a knockdown in the ninth round. Márquez lost the fight by a decision that many people thought was unfair.

Later in 1999, he defeated Remigio Molina. In 2000, he beat former champion Daniel Jimenez. Five fights later, he defeated future champion Robbie Peden. This win earned him the NABF and USBA Featherweight titles.

Winning Featherweight Titles

Márquez got his second chance at a world title on February 1, 2003. He defeated Manuel Medina to win the IBF Featherweight title. Márquez knocked Medina down twice, and the fight stopped in the seventh round.

Later that year, he beat Derrick Gainer to win the WBA Featherweight title. This made him the WBA (Super) Champion.

First Fight with Manny Pacquiao

In May 2004, Márquez fought Manny Pacquiao, who was a Featherweight Champion. Márquez was knocked down three times in the first round. But he fought back strongly for the rest of the fight. The fight ended in a controversial draw. One judge later said he made a mistake on his scorecard.

Keeping His Titles

On September 18, 2004, Márquez fought on a big pay-per-view event. He successfully defended his titles against Orlando Salido. On May 7, 2005, he won another fight against Victor Polo. In August 2005, Márquez lost his WBA and IBF titles. This happened because he could not defend them against other boxers.

A Tough Loss

In 2006, Márquez tried to win a title back. He lost to undefeated Indonesian boxer Chris John in Indonesia. This loss was for the WBA Featherweight Championship. After this, The Ring magazine removed Márquez from their top fighter rankings.

Later in 2006, Márquez won the WBO Interim Featherweight title. He defended it against Jimrex Jaca. Márquez became the full world champion in December 2006. He then gave up this title to move up a weight class.

Moving Up to Super Featherweight

Winning Another Title

On March 17, 2007, Márquez became the WBC Super Featherweight Champion. He defeated Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas by a clear decision. Márquez defended his new title on November 3, 2007. He beat Rocky Juárez in that fight.

Second Fight with Manny Pacquiao

On November 29, 2007, Márquez announced he would fight Pacquiao again. On March 15, 2008, Márquez lost his Super Featherweight title to Pacquiao. He was knocked down in the third round, which made the difference in the fight. Many people thought the fight was very close.

Becoming a Lightweight Champion

Winning the Lightweight Title

Márquez moved up to the lightweight division. He fought The Ring Lightweight Champion Joel Casamayor on September 13, 2008. Márquez won in the 11th round after knocking Casamayor down twice. This win gave him his sixth world title in three different weight classes. After this victory, The Ring magazine ranked Márquez as one of the best boxers.

"Fight of the Year" with Juan Díaz

On February 28, 2009, Márquez defeated former Lightweight Champion Juan Díaz. Díaz started strong, but Márquez fought back. Márquez opened a cut above Díaz's eye. He then knocked Díaz down twice in the ninth round, and the fight was stopped. With this win, Márquez kept his The Ring Lightweight title. He also won the WBO and WBA (Super) Lightweight titles. This fight was named "Fight of the Year" for 2009 by The Ring magazine and ESPN.com.

Stepping Up to Welterweight

Facing Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Márquez moved up to the welterweight division to fight undefeated champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.. The fight was set for September 19, 2009. Mayweather weighed more than the agreed limit, so he had to pay a penalty. Mayweather controlled the fight and knocked Márquez down in the second round. Mayweather won the fight by a clear decision. This fight was very popular and sold over one million pay-per-views.

Back to Lightweight

Márquez decided to return to the lightweight division. He said he lost too much speed at welterweight.

Rematch with Juan Díaz

The rematch between Márquez and Juan Díaz happened on July 31, 2010. Márquez's titles were on the line. Márquez won the fight by a unanimous decision. After this win, Márquez said he wanted to fight Manny Pacquiao for a third time.

Defending Titles Against Michael Katsidis

On November 27, 2010, Márquez defended his lightweight titles against Michael Katsidis. Márquez was knocked down in the third round. But he came back strong and defeated Katsidis in the ninth round. Márquez kept his lightweight belts. At the time, Márquez was the oldest world champion in the lightweight division's history.

Light Welterweight Challenge

Márquez moved up to the light welterweight division. He fought Likar Ramos on July 16, 2011, in Mexico. Márquez won this fight by technical knockout in the first round. This fight was a warm-up before his third match with Manny Pacquiao.

Back to Welterweight Again

Third Fight with Manny Pacquiao

On November 12, 2011, Márquez fought Pacquiao again. Márquez lost the fight by a majority decision. Many people disagreed with the decision. The Ring magazine readers voted it the "Robbery of the Year" for 2011.

Return to Light Welterweight

On April 14, 2012, Márquez defeated Serhiy Fedchenko. He won the interim WBO light welterweight title by a clear decision. The WBO later made him the full WBO Champion.

Fourth Fight with Manny Pacquiao

Márquez fought Manny Pacquiao for the fourth time on December 8, 2012. This fight was for the WBO's "Champion of the Decade" belt. Márquez knocked Pacquiao down in the third round. Pacquiao knocked Márquez down in the fifth round. In the sixth round, with only one second left, Márquez landed a powerful punch. He knocked Pacquiao out cold. Pacquiao had not been knocked out in over 13 years. This fight was named "Fight of the Year" and "Knockout of the Year" by The Ring magazine.

Facing Timothy Bradley

Márquez fought Timothy Bradley on October 12, 2013. He wanted to win a title in a fifth weight class. Márquez lost the fight by a split decision. Márquez believed he won the fight.

Winning Against Mike Alvarado

On May 17, 2014, Márquez fought Mike Alvarado. This fight was to decide who would get a chance to fight Manny Pacquiao next. Márquez won the fight by a unanimous decision. Alvarado was knocked down in the eighth round, and Márquez was knocked down in the ninth.

Retirement from Boxing

Márquez did not fight for almost three years. On August 4, 2017, Márquez announced he was retiring from professional boxing. He had a 21-year career. Márquez said injuries made him decide to stop. He wished he could have one last fight to say goodbye. He ended his career with 56 wins, 7 losses, and 1 draw, with 40 knockouts.

Personal Life

Juan Manuel Márquez was born in Mexico City. He grew up in a tough area of Iztacalco. Many of his friends got into trouble, but he focused on boxing. Márquez said he was always a good student and liked numbers. He studied to become an accountant and worked for the government. Later, he decided to focus only on boxing.

He started boxing at age eight because his father trained. Márquez said he likes to "eat well" and does not follow a strict diet. His brother, Rafael Márquez, is also a former world champion boxer. Both brothers trained with Ignacio Beristáin. They are one of four sets of Mexican brothers who have held world titles. Márquez and his wife, Erika, have two sons and a daughter.

Márquez is a member of a political party called the PRI. He has also been a boxing commentator for the ESPN show Golpe a Golpe since 2011. Márquez appears in the 2005 video game Fight Night Round 2.

Professional Boxing Record

Professional record summary
64 fights	56 wins	7 losses
By knockout	40	0
By decision	16	6
By disqualification	0	1
Draws	1

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
64	Win	56–7–1	Mike Alvarado	UD	12	May 17, 2014	The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.	Won WBO International welterweight title
63	Loss	55–7–1	Timothy Bradley	SD	12	Oct 12, 2013	Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	For WBO welterweight title
62	Win	55–6–1	Manny Pacquiao	KO	6 (12), 2:59	Dec 8, 2012	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
61	Win	54–6–1	Serhiy Fedchenko	UD	12	Apr 14, 2012	Mexico City Arena, Mexico City, Mexico	Won vacant WBO interim junior welterweight title
60	Loss	53–6–1	Manny Pacquiao	MD	12	Nov 12, 2011	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	For WBO welterweight title
59	Win	53–5–1	Likar Ramos Concha	KO	1 (10), 1:46	Jul 16, 2011	Plaza de Toros, Cancún, Mexico
58	Win	52–5–1	Michael Katsidis	TKO	9 (12), 2:14	Nov 27, 2010	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBA (Super), WBO, and The Ring lightweight titles
57	Win	51–5–1	Juan Díaz	UD	12	Jul 31, 2010	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBA (Super), WBO, and The Ring lightweight titles
56	Loss	50–5–1	Floyd Mayweather Jr.	UD	12	Sep 19, 2009	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
55	Win	50–4–1	Juan Díaz	TKO	9 (12), 2:40	Feb 28, 2009	Toyota Center, Houston, Texas, U.S.	Retained The Ring lightweight title; Won vacant WBA (Super) and WBO lightweight titles
54	Win	49–4–1	Joel Casamayor	KO	11 (12), 0:55	Sep 13, 2008	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Won The Ring lightweight title
53	Loss	48–4–1	Manny Pacquiao	SD	12	Mar 15, 2008	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Lost WBC super featherweight title; For vacant The Ring super featherweight title
52	Win	48–3–1	Rocky Juarez	UD	12	Nov 3, 2007	Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.	Retained WBC super featherweight title
51	Win	47–3–1	Marco Antonio Barrera	UD	12	Mar 17, 2007	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Won WBC super featherweight title
50	Win	46–3–1	Jimrex Jaca	KO	9 (12), 2:48	Nov 25, 2006	Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S.	Retained WBO interim featherweight title
49	Win	45–3–1	Terdsak Kokietgym	TKO	7 (12), 1:13	Aug 5, 2006	MontBleu, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.	Won WBO interim featherweight title
48	Loss	44–3–1	Chris John	UD	12	Mar 4, 2006	Karang Melenu Sports Hall, Kutai Kartanegara, Indonesia	For WBA featherweight title
47	Win	44–2–1	Victor Polo	UD	12	May 7, 2005	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBA (Unified) and IBF featherweight titles
46	Win	43–2–1	Orlando Salido	UD	12	Sep 18, 2004	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBA (Unified) and IBF featherweight titles
45	Draw	42–2–1	Manny Pacquiao	SD	12	May 8, 2004	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBA (Unified) and IBF featherweight titles; For The Ring featherweight title
44	Win	42–2	Derrick Gainer	TD	7 (12), 2:37	Nov 1, 2003	Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.	Retained IBF featherweight title; Won WBA (Unified) featherweight title; Unanimous TD: Gainer cut from an accidental head clash
43	Win	41–2	Marcos Licona	TKO	9 (10), 3:00	Aug 16, 2003	Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
42	Win	40–2	Manuel Medina	TKO	7 (12), 1:18	Feb 1, 2003	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Won vacant IBF featherweight title
41	Win	39–2	Hector Javier Márquez	TKO	10 (10), 0:28	Jun 21, 2002	The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
40	Win	38–2	Robbie Peden	RTD	10 (12), 3:00	Mar 9, 2002	Palumbo Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Won NABF and vacant USBA featherweight titles
39	Win	37–2	Johnny Walker	TKO	1 (10), 0:56	Oct 19, 2001	Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel, Worley, Idaho, U.S.
38	Win	36–2	Julio Gamboa	TKO	7 (10), 3:00	Aug 19, 2001	Stateline Casino, Wendover, Utah, U.S.
37	Win	35–2	Baby Lorona Jr.	TKO	2 (10), 2:50	Apr 1, 2001	Peppermill, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
36	Win	34–2	Sean Fletcher	TKO	7 (10), 1:54	Feb 11, 2001	Peppermill, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
35	Win	33–2	Reynante Jamili	KO	3 (10), 1:14	Oct 22, 2000	Peppermill, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
34	Win	32–2	Daniel Jiménez	RTD	7 (10), 3:00	Aug 27, 2000	Plaza Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
33	Win	31–2	Roque Cassiani	UD	12	May 20, 2000	Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.	Won vacant NABO featherweight title
32	Win	30–2	Remigio Molina	TKO	8 (10), 2:01	Nov 20, 1999	The Joint, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
31	Loss	29–2	Freddie Norwood	UD	12	Sep 11, 1999	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	For WBA featherweight title
30	Win	29–1	Wilfredo Vargas	KO	2 (10), 2:02	May 10, 1999	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
29	Win	28–1	Jose de Jesus Garcia	KO	1 (10), 1:54	Feb 20, 1999	Spotlight 29 Casino, Coachella, California, U.S.
28	Win	27–1	Francisco Arreola	TKO	3 (12), 2:24	Oct 24, 1998	Tropicana, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained NABO featherweight title
27	Win	26–1	Enrique Jupiter	TKO	8 (12), 1:09	Aug 22, 1998	Tropicana, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained NABO featherweight title
26	Win	25–1	Juan Gerardo Cabrera	TKO	4 (12), 3:00	Apr 20, 1998	Tropicana, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained NABO featherweight title
25	Win	24–1	Luis Samudio	TKO	9 (10), 2:18	Mar 16, 1998	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
24	Win	23–1	Alfred Kotey	UD	12	Nov 22, 1997	Tropicana Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained NABO featherweight title
23	Win	22–1	Vincent Howard	TKO	12	Sep 27, 1997	Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.	Retained NABO featherweight title
22	Win	21–1	Catalino Becerra	TKO	7 (12), 1:37	Jul 14, 1997	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.	Retained NABO featherweight title
21	Win	20–1	Agapito Sánchez	UD	12	Apr 21, 1997	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.	Retained NABO featherweight title
20	Win	19–1	Cedric Mingo	RTD	10 (12), 3:00	Feb 3, 1997	Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California, U.S.	Won vacant NABO featherweight title
19	Win	18–1	Rodrigo Valenzuela	KO	8 (10), 3:00	Dec 9, 1996	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
18	Win	17–1	Darryl Pinckney	UD	10	Oct 19, 1996	Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
17	Win	16–1	Freddy Cruz	UD	10	Jul 8, 1996	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
16	Win	15–1	Julio Gervacio	KO	8 (10), 0:35	Apr 29, 1996	Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California, U.S.
15	Win	14–1	Hector Ulises Chong	KO	4 (10), 1:42	Mar 4, 1996	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
14	Win	13–1	Julian Wheeler	TKO	10 (10), 2:55	Nov 6, 1995	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
13	Win	12–1	Miguel Rodriguez	TKO	1 (10), 2:30	Sep 25, 1995	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
12	Win	11–1	Julio Cesar Portillo	KO	6 (10), 2:10	Jul 10, 1995	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
11	Win	10–1	Julio Sanchez Leon	UD	10	Apr 24, 1995	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
10	Win	9–1	Martin Ochoa	TKO	1	Jan 30, 1995	Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
9	Win	8–1	Israel Gonzalez	TKO	4 (8), 0:34	Dec 3, 1994	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
8	Win	7–1	Jose Luis Montes	KO	2	Nov 12, 1994	Plaza de Toros, Mexico City, Mexico
7	Win	6–1	Israel Flores	UD	4	Oct 1, 1994	Mexico City, Mexico
6	Win	5–1	Gregorio Silva	TKO	2	Aug 27, 1994	Mexico City, Mexico
5	Win	4–1	Roman Poblano	UD	6	May 7, 1994	Mexico City, Mexico
4	Win	3–1	Isaac Cortes	TKO	5 (6)	Oct 1, 1993	Mexico City, Mexico
3	Win	2–1	Israel Flores	TKO	2	Sep 18, 1993	Mexico City, Mexico
2	Win	1–1	Javier Quiroz	TKO	3	Jun 26, 1993	Mexico City, Mexico
1	Loss	0–1	Javier Duran	DQ	1	May 29, 1993	Mexico City, Mexico

Boxing Titles Won

Juan Manuel Márquez won many important titles during his career:

Major World Titles

WBA (Unified) featherweight champion (126 lbs)
IBF featherweight champion (126 lbs)
WBC super featherweight champion (130 lbs)
WBA (Super) lightweight champion (135 lbs)
WBO lightweight champion (135 lbs)
WBO Super lightweight champion (140 lbs)

The Ring Magazine Titles

The Ring lightweight champion (135 lbs)

Interim World Titles

WBO interim featherweight champion (126 lbs)
WBO interim light welterweight champion (140 lbs)

Regional and International Titles

NABO featherweight champion (126 lbs) (2 times)
NABF featherweight champion (126 lbs)
USBA featherweight champion (126 lbs)
WBO International welterweight champion (147 lbs)

Honorary Titles

WBO Super Champion

Pay-Per-View Fights

Juan Manuel Márquez was part of many big pay-per-view boxing events:

Date	Fight	Billing	Buys	Network
Mar 17, 2007	Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Marco Antonio Barerra	Fearless	225,000	HBO
Mar 15, 2008	Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Manny Pacquiao II	Unfinished Business	400,000	HBO
Sep 13, 2008	Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Joel Casamayor	The Challenge	100,000	HBO
Sep 19, 2009	Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Floyd Mayweather	Number One/Número Uno	1,100,000	HBO
Jul 31, 2010	Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Juan Diaz II	Fight of the Year: The Rematch	200,000	HBO
Nov 11, 2011	Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Manny Pacquiao III	The 25th Round Begins	1,400,000	HBO
Dec 8, 2012	Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Manny Pacquiao IV	Fight of the Decade	1,150,000	HBO
Oct 12, 2013	Juan Manuel Márquez vs. Timothy Bradley	The Conquerors	375,000	HBO