Marquez vs Diaz II: Predictions

We are expecting another boxing match that offers some consolation after another failed attempt to stage Pacquiao versus Mayweather in November.

On Saturday night in Las Vegas, Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz face off for the second time for the WBA and WBO lightweight titles. In their first meeting, Diaz was ahead in the earlier rounds until Marquez set him up for a stoppage in the ninth round.

In the areas of skill and defense, Marquez still has the edge as he is considered one of the best in the pound for pound list. Conditioning is pretty much even as Marquez has stayed in shape at age 36. Marquez may have the stronger chin as he has not been knocked out before. Marquez should also be favored in terms of experience but the wear and tear of his past fights may also take on toll on him.

What we may not know is how Marquez has taken his beating from Floyd Mayweather Jr. earlier this year. Some fighters are never the same after a bad loss although Marquez has never been knocked out.

My prediction... Juan Manuel Marquez by a close decision.

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Is Mayweather Ducking Pacquiao?

The first time they tried negotiating a fight between two of the world's best pound for pound boxers, they failed miserably as mudslinging came from both camps under the public microscope. Manny Pacquiao would not agree to Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s terms of Olympic-style blood testing days leading to the fight.

This time around, Pacquiao is so willing to give in to blood testing terms, the money supposed to be split evenly. The deadline for the deal has passed and there was no word from Mayweahter. Days after the so-called deadline for a deal between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao to square of in the boxing ring, "Money" says that he is "on vacation". Now we are stuck with a consolation fight between Pacquiao and dirty boxer Antonio Margarito.

The Pacquiao-Mayweather fight has the biggest prize money that "Money" can possibly earn in a fight and he would rather be "on vacation"??? Easily they could put up a $100 million pot in this superfight but it looks like "Money" doesn't seem interested in this indecent amount of potential earnings.

And yes... Mayweather doesn't care what the casual and hardcore boxing fans want to see. No wonder mixed martial arts has taken over the fight game. Before we could even get to see "Money" and "Pacman" fight, if ever it will happen, we would have seen Brock Lesnar fight Cain Velasquez in October and BJ Penn possibly become a UFC champion again by August. Hopefully we can get to see Chael Sonnen beat up Anderson Silva in a few days, although it could be a long night for Chael. There could be at least 25 mixed martial arts contests that are quite interesting before the year ends. This I tell you, these are far more interesting than seeing or hearing from a diva called Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Go ahead, Mr. Mayweather. Keep ducking Pacquiao and find out for yourself that you are way below the all-time greats like Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali. The best fighters would always want to fight the best. This is where Dana White and what used to be a tiny promotional group called UFC is great at... matching up the best with the best.

Sooner or later, Mayweather might find the necessity to fight again for money but his skills may have diminished by then. Mayweather is not worth $45 or so on pay-per-view. Floyd Mayweather is one good reason why boxing is a dying sport.

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Houston Rockets' Yao Ming Pondering Retirement

Yao Ming may just play one more season. That is if his nagging foot injury doesn't fully heal. He has disclosed this during an interiew while promoting a charity event in China. He missed the whole of last season as the Rockets also missed the playoffs after finishing the 2010 season with a 42-40 record.

It is quite sad to see such talent leave the game while he is still considered one of the league's best big men. At 7 fee and 6 inches, he has great all-around skills but as luck would have it, the Rockets never made it deep into the playoffs in the past. Maybe not with Tracy McGrady hogging the ball, running down the clock until the shotclock makes him take forced shots. Besides, Yao and T-Mac never got to play a lot of games together as they were sidelined by injuries one after another.

Now that the Rockets seem to have a better lineup next year with unselfish players, it would be interesting to see how Yao and the Rockets perform next season. Kevin Martin may be less talented than T-Mac but he should be a better fit for Yao. Trevor Ariza and Shane Battier are solid defenders. Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry have just been re-signed. Aaron Brooks continues to improve while there are young and promising players in Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill. Add to this already formidable lineup new acquisition Brad Miller who can offload some minutes from Yao.

The Rockets should have a better season with a better roster. If this will be Yao's final season, I just hope they make it all the way to the finals and get that elusive NBA ring.