Juan Manuel Marquez has scoffed at the idea of non-boxers capitalising on the industry.
The Mexican legend, who famously knocked out Manny Pacquiao in 2012, was asked about his opinion on YouTubers and others who fail to come from a boxing background getting inside the ropes.
Marquez held nothing back in his response to ESPN, claiming that it is damaging to the sport that he had a glittering career in for more than two decades:
“I remember when a trainer asked someone: ‘Would you like your son to be a boxer?’
“The answer was: ‘no,’ it is a very difficult sport. It’s very dangerous. I would like him to study.’ Now everyone wants to be a boxer”
Jake Paul is a Marmite-type character in the sport and has yet to really face a legitimate boxer.
The influencer-turned-fighter-turned-fight-maker is undefeated in five and was set to meet Hasim Rahman Jr. on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York, but the fight was shelved at late notice after it was revealed that Rahman Jr would be unable to meet the contracted weight of 205 pounds.
Marquez continued:
“It’s a great lack of respect for boxing.
“Boxing should be taken seriously. The fighter trains and prepares. He leaves everything in the ring.
“It doesn’t seem fair to me that a ‘YouTuber’ is in the ring. Or even a former basketball or NFL player.
“Boxing deserves respect. The respect for boxing has been lost.”
Several cross-code and YouTube attempts at the sport have taken place since Floyd Mayweather took on MMA star Conor McGregor at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas back in 2017.
