Who’s the Best Mexican Fighter? Juan Manuel Marquez Stands Apart

Canelo Alvarez is quickly making a name for himself, while Julio Cesar Chavez Jr's performance in the ring is starting to remind people of his own namesake. Meanwhile, Juan Manuel Marquez is making it clear he has no plans to let age keep him from delivering vintage performances in the ring. So who is the best active Mexican fighter?

We asked you, and the results weren't even close. In our Facebook Questions Poll, over 75 percent responded that the legendary Juan Manuel Marquez still holds the edge over the up-and-coming (and undefeated) Alvarez and Chavez Jr. who received 18 percent and 6 percent of the vote respectively. Bantamweight Abner Mares and Alfredo "El Perro" Angulo also received a few votes.

Here's what you had to say:

Marquez hands down is the best Mexican Boxer out there until proven otherwise by the next generarion (Chavez & Canelo). – Jorge S. (Facebook)

JMM by far! He's a living legend and has proved himself against the toughest opponents. The others are just getting started.- @BlaznSDchicano (Twitter)

Canelo!! JC Chavez Jr. won't step out the shadow & legacy of his father!!- Carlos G. (Facebook)

I think the best active fighter right now has to be juan manuel marquez. Canela and chavez both will be the promoters cash cows, they will keep fighting tomato cans For a while. Out of those 2 I think canela is better. – Ulises S. (Facebook)

go with JMM. he's just so explosive men..i think he deserv all the achievements that he has rightnow. best MEXICAN fighter of all time. too bad, he's getting older.  – Robert (HBO.com)

Marquez hands down!........JC.Jr and Canelo both are good but i haven't yet been impressed with there style. - Manuel M. (Facebook)

Juan manuel marquez. He still brings that head to head boxing. No running no clinching just punching combos.- @dannyd_libra310  (Twitter)

Right now, Its JMM, when its all said and done will probably be Canelo - @petesmack (Twitter)

Disagree? Sound off in the comments below.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Defeats Sebastian Zbik

By Peter Owen Nelson

Photo By Ed MulhollandSaturday night at the Los Angeles Staples Center, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. became Mexico’s first middleweight champion, defeating Sebastian Zbik (30-1) for the WBC title in a majority decision (114-114, 115-113, and 116-112).

Neither man is overwhelmingly experienced. The biggest name on either’s resume is Chavez’s own, who largely has been criticized for making a career against stiffs off his father’s hard-fought legacy. Tonight, however, Chavez fought less like a man who inherited a name and more like one who wished to defend its honor.

Read the full story of Chavez’s win over Zbik on HBO.com.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Trainer Freddie Roach Talk Fight Strategy

Photo: Chris Farina

Days before his fighter is set to take on the undefeated Sebastian Zbik, trainer Freddie Roach discussed how they plan to take down the German middleweight. "[Zbik] has a European straight up style and pretty much fights in a straight line," Roach says. "I think our boxing ability is going to give him a lot of trouble. We have looked at thevideo and we are going to use a lot of angles on him." Like every good fighter, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is prepared to put his trainer's strategy into practice. "I think my style is going to be there and my power is going to be there," the 25-year-old Mexican says. "But I have to know how to use it – that’s why we have worked so hard."

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Looks to Step Out of Father’s Shadow Against Sebastian Zbik

By Nat Gottlieb

Photo: Chris Farina

“I don’t know if there have been many sons of great fighters who equaled their fathers,” says HBO analyst Larry Merchant. “They’re always compared against their father’s very high standard, and that is difficult to live up to. Most of the fathers overcame extreme poverty and had a certain kind of hardness because of that. Sons had it a lot easier growing up, and even though they lived in the gym, they didn’t have that kind of hardness inside. They’re able to get to a certain level, able to make some money, but the question remains, will the son also rise?”

Read the rest of the Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Sebastian Zbik fight overview on HBO.com.